FIELD TRIP: International Plant Pathology Protecting Plant Health Across Borders

Ticketed event; preregistration required

Brief Description: The field trip will showcase the close interactions between federal (USDA) and state (HDOA) plant inspection and containment facilities that protect US agriculture from pests and diseases. Participants will learn the role and actions of the state and federal plant inspection stations with brief presentations and tours of the facilities, US permit inspections at the Honolulu airport, airport inspections, and the beagle brigade. Attendees will also become familiar with field level detection and diagnosis by frontline inspectors. Vans will depart at 8:00 am and arrive at the DKI International Airport facility. Attendees will then travel to the state Plant Pest Quarantine facility. A tour of the containment greenhouse and holding rooms will conclude with 3-4 brief presentations and discussion. Lunch (bento boxes) will be held at the state facility with state and federal plant health officials. Finally, we will tour the HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB) and vans will return by 3:00 pm.

Buses will pick up participants at the Hawai'i Convention Center. Buses will stage outside the main entrance.