Principal Investigator: Dwight Bowman
Contact Information: E-mail: ddb3@cornell.edu - Phone: 607-253-3406
Sponsor: U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES)
Grant Number: 2009-65102-05842
Title: Current Knowledge of Sources, Fate and Transport of Rural and Agricultural Watershed Pathogens: A National Synthesis Workshop
Annual Direct Cost: $233,500
Project Period: 09/01/09-08/31/10
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A national synthesis workshop for NRI Water and Watershed project leaders, other specialists in the field and stakeholders will be held in the calendar year 2010. The proposed workshop would focus on the production of a summary of research results relative to pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and protozoa) in rural and agricultural watersheds with regards to sampling, isolation, identification, inactivation, transport, remediation, and trace-backs following outbreaks. The workshop will bring together NRI-funded researchers (all those currently funded by the NRI, USDA-CSREES Water and Watersheds program), other specialists in this field of research, and various stakeholders representing the farm industry and watershed protection alliances. The workshop will be a four day event. All guests will stay on the Cornell Campus, and all meetings will be held at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The Workshop will consist of tours, lectures, laboratory stations, breakout groups, small group presentations and the development of a consensus document. The document will be submitted to CSREES for review within 4 months of the completion of the workshop. Invited speakers will be incorporated into the program in the form of day and evening lectures, to highlight updates in knowledge on certain pathogens, their sources, fate and transport. By bringing together those individuals at the forefront of the current knowledge of the bacteria, viruses and protozoa of importance in rural and agricultural watersheds, a consensus report of current knowledge will be produced. Additionally, presentations from this synthesis workshop will be taped and could be made available to CSREES and participants.