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 vermont and the united states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the Vermont Agency of Agriculture a cooperative agreement totaling $104,463 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 Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) project, which conducts early detection surveys for exotic plant pests that threaten agricultural and ecological stability in Vermont and the United States. The recipient executes four survey tracks—nursery and retail plant pest survey, oak commodity survey, tree nursery pest survey, and a second nursery and retail plant pest survey—each targeting plant pathogens and pests with specific host requirements following 2026 guidelines and approved methods. Work includes program development, coordination, and execution of surveys intended to detect and monitor introduced pests of national and state concern; coordination with the APHIS State Plant Health Director and statewide CAPS Committee to prioritize exotic pest survey concerns; support for pest response activities and planning; and collection, validation, and timely entry of survey data into an APHIS-approved database with reporting of new findings through appropriate channels. The recipient cooperates with state, federal, tribal, and private organizations to identify and prioritize pests, conduct public education, and plan prevention, detection, control, and eradication activities.

Performance runs from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 in Vermont. Survey results are provided to the State Plant Health Director, State Plant Regulatory Official, State Survey Coordinator, and entered into the National Agricultural Pest Information System, benefiting Vermont nurseries, tree farms, and natural forest stakeholders.

Activities

The primary objective of these surveys is to determine whether introduced insects that could pose a threat to nurseries, tree farms, and natural forests are present in vermont. This general objective includes program development, coordination, execution, and archiving results of surveys intended to detect and/or monitor introduced pests that are of national and state concern and to facilitate export of american products. Surveys are broken down into: nursery and retail plant pest survey, OAK commodity survey, tree nursery pest survey, and nursery and retail plant pest survey. Each survey includes a selection of plant pathogens and/or pests with specific host requirements following the 2026 guidelines and approved methods. 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 vermont. 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. Vermont nurseries and businesses who produce nursery stock, and the wood products and christmas tree growers in vermont will also benefit because this work could lead to early detection of exotic pests that may damage forests and timber species in the state. Vermont 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