The IR-4 Project

Three outstanding team members were honored with IR-4's National Recognition of Excellence this year: Susan Bierbrunner (Data Administrator), Megan James Hickman (Assistant Regional Field Coordinator) and Leona Horst (Field Research Director). Congrats! ncst.at/ILGJ50Ywj04

Late nights & frost protection: that’s the reality for Cole Smith & our @NCState team in Castle Hayne, NC right now. This #NationalAgWeek, we’re celebrating the resilience of growers facing unpredictable spring weather. Their hard work keeps fresh produce on our plates! 🫐❄️

IR-4's Environmental Horticulture work helps keep landscapes and nurseries green and thriving, on St. Patty's day and beyond! We're lucky to do meaningful work with inspiring plant people. What do you feel lucky for today (and are you wearing your green)? 🍀🇮🇪🤑

Bringing the bounty of U.S. #SpecialtyCrops to Capitol Hill! 🏛️🍎 From @RepJimCosta’s remarks to @RepDeborahRoss' interns' visit, last week's reception was a successful night sharing IR-4's impacts. Thanks to our CLC for bringing plants, cherries, lentils & more! 🌸🍒 #ir4project

Today is Lina Quesada-Ocampo's first official day as the Executive Director of IR-4. Please join us in welcoming Lina to our team!

This week in D.C., we thanked Todd Sholz of @USAPulses for his dedication and service to IR-4 as chair of the Commodity Liaison Committee (CLC). The CLC elected Jonathan Sarager of @WesternGrowers as its new chair. Congrats, Jonathan!

Hello from D.C.! Today and tomorrow, we visit the Hill to spread the word about IR-4 along with our Commodity Liaison Committee & the Friends of IR-4. We'll be sharing these beautiful plants with everyone we meet, thanks to our friends at @American_Hort!

The IR-4 Project's 2025 Annual Report has been published and is available on our website, along with the Year-End Summary, which offers some highlights from the more detailed report. Read the report: ncst.at/1XwN50Yoi5L

Presentations from last week's Industry Technology Session are now available on our website, along with presenter contact information (those we have permission to share). Thanks to our presenters, attendees and sponsors for making this event possible! ncst.at/FBJM50YmZFG

Lina Quesada-Ocampo has been named the new executive director of IR-4, effective March 9. Read more about her and the appointment: ncst.at/wynM50Ykx5M

We've finalized the agenda ahead of this Thursday's Industry Technology Session. Visit the event webpage to check out the excellent lineup of presentations (and register to join us virtually on Thursday)! ncst.at/3exY50YheFY #ir4events #industrytechnologysession #ir4its

May your #BlackHistoryMonth be filled with reflection, education, and joy. This month, IR-4 honors the invaluable contributions of Black growers, scientists, and agricultural leaders who have shaped our food systems and continue to drive innovation in ag!

A berry happy Valentine's weekend to you & yours! 🍓🫐💓

Our Industry Technology Session is coming up next Thursday. We hope you'll join us for this virtual event to learn about pest management products in development that may benefit specialty crop stakeholders. Register (for free) to receive the Zoom link: ncst.at/E62z50YcTaU

Our team is having a great week of training, knowledge sharing, and connecting with teammates across job functions and locations. We only gather for #IR4NEC every 3 years, so it's a treat to learn together in person. Congrats to all the presenters knocking it out of the park!

Dreaming of sunny Puerto Rico, where we held our last National Education Conference—our internal training event for our lab, field, and QA teams across the country. As we prep and pack for next week's NEC in Charleston, we wish everyone a safe and warm weekend!

IR-4's upcoming Industry Technology Session is a perfect opportunity to learn about emerging and existing pest management tools that may serve specialty crop growers' needs. Register today to join us virtually on February 19! #ir4project #IR4ITS ncst.at/WzxR50Y53pN

Save the date for IR-4's 2026 Food Use Workshop! We're looking forward to gathering in Austin, Texas, on September 15-17. Learn more on the event page: ncst.at/qB9950Y0SyO #ir4project #ir4fuw #ir4events

Words to live by. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day to all! #mlkday2026 #martinlutherkingjr

Spotted at the Great Lakes Fruit & Vegetable Expo in December: IR-4 friends and teammates, old and new. Our North Central Region team enjoyed seeing everyone who stopped by the IR-4 booth! Photos courtesy of Nicole Soldan #glexpo #specialtycrops #ir4project