The purpose of the combined FY26 caps survey project is the early detection of exotic plant pests that could threaten the agricultural and ecological stability of new hampshire and the united states

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $104,463 cooperative agreement to Agriculture Markets & Food New Hampshire (doing business as Bureau Of Markets) on January 1, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The award funds the FY26 Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) project for early detection of exotic plant pests threatening New Hampshire's agricultural and ecological stability. Work includes two survey components. The Nursery & Retail Plants Pest Survey conducts regular inspections of New Hampshire's approximately 1,000 greenhouse, nursery, and landscape businesses to monitor for invasive pests transported through inter- and intrastate movement of nursery stock, with outreach and education to nursery and greenhouse operators on invasive pests of concern. The Exotic Wood Borer/Bark Beetle Survey monitors New Hampshire's forest resources, which cover approximately 84 percent of the state's lands, for exotic wood-boring and bark beetle species. Both surveys generate pest distribution data to assist scientists and regulators in developing recommendations and regulations to safeguard U.S. agricultural and forest resources.

Performance occurs in New Hampshire over a twelve-month period ending December 31, 2026. The recipient operates as a direct grant recipient with no identified sub-recipients on this award.

Activities

The plan will survey for select plant pathogens and pests with specific host requirements following the 2026 guidelines and approved methods. Surveys for FY26. Trapping survey for invasive longhorned beetles and a pine weevil at ten high-risk sites throughout the state. This survey will provide data on the presence/absence of introduced invasive wood borers in new hampshire. State personnel will gain knowledge about presence of invasive wood borers through conducting a pest detection survey. If invasive wood borers are detected in this project, this information will aid aphis and the state in taking expedient regulatory action to curtail their spread and reduce economic losses in the united states. Nursery and ornamental statewide survey: will install/service traps for priority moth and sawfly targets and do a visual survey for boxwood blight, leaf gall nematode, and the exotic LON G-horned beetles. A visual survey for five exotic pests of national and/or state concern will be conducted in at least 40 nurseries. Each nursery will be visited once from may through september, and host plants will be inspected for signs of the target pests. In a ddition, a trapping survey for five exotic pests will be conducted in each of five nurseries, selected based on risk level, including size, interstate trade, and type of stock. The results will be uploaded to napis. Deliverables and expected outcomes: cooperate with the aphis state plant health director (SPHD) to survey for plant pests of concern to both plant protection and quarantine (PPQ) and the state of new hampshire. Coordinate with statewide caps committee members to review and prioritize exotic pest survey concerns for the state. Aid with pest response activities and planning. Coordinate survey data collection, ensure accurate and timely data entry into an aphis approved database, and report new findings through appropriate channels. Cooperate with other state, federal, native, and private organizations to identify and prioritize pests, educate the public, and plan for prevention, detection, control and/or eradication of plant pests. Intended beneficiary(IES): results from these samples will be provided to the state plant health director, state plant regulatory official, state survey coordinator and data entered into the national agricultural pest information system. New hampshire nurseries and businesses who produce nursery stock, and the wood products and christmas tree growers in new hampshire will also benefit because this work could lead to early detection of exotic pests that may damage forests and timber species in the state. New hampshire residents and visitors to the state that enjoy outdoor recreation and agrotourism are beneficiaries. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a