Conduct the cooperative agricultural pest survey (CAPS) program in florida

The Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Florida (FDACS) received a Cooperative Agreement award of $400,984.00 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026. This agreement funds Florida's participation in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program, which conducts targeted, risk-based surveys designed to detect exotic pests and pathogens not currently established in Florida. During fiscal year 2025, FDACS will execute four distinct survey initiatives—an exotic woodboring and bark beetle survey, a corn commodity survey, a cotton commodity survey, and a nursery survey—targeting 25 exotic pests and pathogens of concern to Florida's agricultural industry and national interests.

In addition to surveillance activities, FDACS will provide outreach and educational communications to growers, stakeholders, and relevant organizations regarding exotic pest risks and the importance of state and federal survey efforts. The early detection capabilities enabled by this program enhance the potential for pest eradication before widespread establishment and damage occur, while negative survey results facilitate trade facilitation for Florida's agricultural commodities both domestically and globally. Given Florida's subtropical climate, diverse agricultural base, natural resources, proximity to the Caribbean Basin, and substantial commodity import volume, the state represents a critical vulnerability point for exotic pest invasion and the CAPS program serves as a frontline biosecurity asset for protecting national agriculture.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to conduct the cooperative agricultural pest survey (CAPS) program in florida. The primary objective of the national CAPS program is to safeguard our nation's agriculture and natural resources from exotic pests through risk-based targeted surveys. CAPS personnel survey for pests not known to be present in florida in an effort to provide for early detection. Early detection enhances potential eradication efforts; increasing our ability to prevent further spread within and out of the state. The CAPS program also conducts outreach to growers and other stakeholders, increasing awareness of exotic pests and the importance of state and federal survey efforts.

Activities

For fiscal year 2025, florida caps will be conducting an exotic woodboring/bark beetle survey, a corn commodity survey, a cotton commodity survey and a nursery survey; that includes a total of 25 distinct target exotic pests and pathogens of concern to florida's agricultural industry and natural resources, and the nation as a whole. These surveys are designed to provide for the early detection or presence of these pests, allowing for the opportunity to eradicate them before they have a chance to cause severe damage. Most of the annual data collected by the program is negative, or shows that a particular pest is not present, and this greatly enhances the facilitation of trade for florida's agricultural goods nationally and globally. The caps team will also organize outreach events and provide presentations to relevant groups to communicate the risks from exotic pests and the activities of the USDA and the state to protect our domestic agriculture and natural resources. Deliverables and expected outcomes: due to florida's climate, diverse agricultural industry and natural resources, the close proximity to the caribbean basin and the huge volume of agricultural commodities imported into the state, IT is extremely vulnerable to the invasion of an exotic pest or pathogen. The survey for and potential detection of these pests would provide the following expected outcomes: potential eradication or containment of pest populations, prevention of the spread of these pests outside of florida, increased awareness of exotic pests for the agricultural labor force and the general public, and protection of the vast agricultural and forestry resources of the state and the nation. In addition, these surveys have the potential to identify many new pest species at the host, county, state and national levels. Intended beneficiary(IES): while the surveys target specific sectors within florida's agricultural industry, many of the pests being surveyed for have broad host ranges that can negatively impact much of the other crops grown in the state, so the industry as a whole will benefit. Also, many of the pests can be a serious threat to florida's natural resources and could permanently damage and change the state's environment. That would have a serious negative impact on the citizens of florida and the millions of travelers that arrive each year to enjoy the diverse environment that the state possesses. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a.