§ 148. Establishment of integrated pest management program. 1. There is hereby established an integrated pest management program for the purposes of managing insects, diseases, nematodes, weeds and rodents. Such program shall include, but not be limited to programs of instruction, research and development, the purpose of which is to educate the agricultural community and integrate programs of:

a. crop management and cultural practices;

b. field scouting;

c. economic threshold; and

d. chemical and biological control.

2. Such programs shall be developed and conducted in such a manner to encourage:

a. expanded research on biological and cultural pest management technologies, crop and pest resistance technologies;

b. use of sampling methods, economic thresholds, monitoring technology, pest forecasting, and the effects of weather on pest and crop parameters;

c. development of computer programs and computerized information systems for farmers and extension agents;

d. delivery of current and new integrated pest management technology to the agricultural industry through cooperative extension;

e. minimized levels of pesticides in feed, food and the environment; and

f. minimized economic losses due to crop, animal and stored grain pests.

3. Such program shall identify and make application for all possible funding sources in addition to those offered by the state.