The objective of the caps program is to safeguard our nation's food and environmental resources from exotic plant pests that threated our production and ecological systems

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a cooperative agreement totaling $101,182 to Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry on January 1, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The award funds a state survey coordinator position responsible for coordinating Maine's Cooperating Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program and related early detection surveys. The coordinator oversees survey work plans, facilitates funds, procures survey supplies, develops contracts, assists in pest screening and identification, and maintains pest detection data in the National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS). Deliverables include detection mechanisms for economically significant plant pests that evade port-of-entry inspections, contribution to an early warning system for pest detection and response to protect the nation's food supply, and outreach efforts including a state-run CAPS website, social media engagement, and participation at agricultural fairs, industry trade shows, and relevant events. Information dissemination reaches plant protection professionals, industry stakeholders, the public, and other audiences throughout the year.

Performance occurs in Maine from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. No sub-recipients are identified at the time of award.

Activities

Activities include coordinating actions of agencies involved in caps surveys through oversight of survey work plans, facilitation of funds, procurement of survey supplies, and development of contracts. Additionally, will assist in survey pest screening and identification, organize pest detection data and maintain information in napis, etc. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the cooperator seeks to conduct a program which is expected to result in: providing a mechanism to detect harmful of economically significant plant pests that have eluded first line inspections at our ports-of-entry; being part of an early warning system for pest detection and response, which is fundamental in providing security for the united states' food supply; enhancing outreach efforts to further the goals of the caps program, which would include contributions to a state-run caps website and other electronic social media networks, and participation at fairs, industry trade shows, and other relevant events. Intended beneficiary(IES): disseminate exotic pest information to plant protection professionals, industry, the public, and other stakeholders. - throughout the year. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a