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The IR-4 Project Completes Transition to NC State University

Posted on October 18, 2021October 18, 2021 — Jennifer Heiss
Man wearing black pants and red jacket standing next to a marquee sign in front of a brick building
IR-4 Executive Director Jerry Baron stands in front of the organization’s new home on NC State University’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh, NC.

The IR-4 Project has completed its move to NC State University from Rutgers University, effective Oct. 1, 2021. The national organization, which facilitates research necessary for the approval of pest management technologies on specialty crops, started transitioning its headquarters to NC State in 2019. For IR-4, becoming part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences family was a natural fit with the college’s significant focus on plant protection and the numerous specialty crops grown in the state. 

“Under normal conditions, a move of this magnitude is difficult. It is even more difficult to accomplish the move during a global pandemic,” said IR-4 Project Executive Director Jerry Baron. “I want to thank everyone from NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who made this historic move possible, especially Dean Richard Linton, Associate Dean Steve Lommel, Associate Dean Rich Bonanno, Associate Director David Monks, Assistant Dean Rebecca Zuvich, Martellis Dickens, Holly Lipkovich, Jamie Dennis, and Jevon Smith.”

Since the transition began two years ago, IR-4 has hired 30 full or part-time employees, moved nearly 60 years of paper files that must be retained per federal regulations, outfitted a modern office space on NC State’s Centennial Campus, and adapted legacy electronic data systems to new and modified systems. All of this occurred under budget and ahead of schedule. It takes a village, and fortunately for IR-4, everyone in the Rutgers and NC State teams worked closely together to make this happen.

“We’re excited to have the IR-4 Project as a part of the CALS community here at NC State University.” said CALS Dean Richard Linton. “IR-4 is a trusted partner in ensuring healthy and safe pest management tools are available for specialty crop growers. Their history of success partnered with our dedication to educating the next generation of plant protection experts will help ensure consumers have plentiful fruits, vegetables, nursery plans and other specialty crops for decades to come.”

The IR-4 Project was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1963 to ensure that specialty crop growers have legal access to safe and effective crop protection products. With regional field offices throughout the country and a growing international footprint, IR-4 is able to protect crop yields from pests, reduce food waste and increase consumer access to healthy fruits, vegetables and ornamental crops.

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IR-4 Project Headquarters
NC State University
1730 Varsity Drive
Venture IV, Suite 210
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 515-1552
ir-4_project@ncsu.edu

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This website is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award numbers 2022-79111-38469 and 2021-34383-34848 with substantial cooperation and support from the State Agricultural Experiment Stations, USDA-ARS, USDA-APHIS, and USDA-FAS. In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

NC State University promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon one’s age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.

  • About IR-4
    ▼
    • Annual Reports
    • Careers
    • Contacts
      ▼
      • Headquarters Staff
      • National Directory
      • Regional Field Coordinators
    • History
    • Mission & Vision
    • News
    • Outreach
    • Participants in the Process
  • Food Crops
    ▼
    • Biopesticide Regulatory Support Program
    • Crop Grouping
    • Integrated Solutions
    • International Programs
    • Residue and Product Performance
  • Environmental Horticulture
  • Events & Training
  • Stakeholder Resources
    ▼
    • Database: Food Crops
    • eQA/eDOCs
    • Database: Environmental Horticulture
    • Databases: Biopesticides and Organic Support
    • Glossary of Acronyms
    • Upload Files
  • Submit a Project Request