Virginia Fruit AdVisor:

The Virginia Fruit AdVisor Project:
The Fruit AdVisor project endeavors to use PDAs or smart phones as extension delivery tools, specifically for the dissemination of fruit IPM information and other fruit related issues. Users will have installed in their PDAs information on pest biology, monitoring methods, current population activity, pest control recommendations, and updated regulatory issues. Pest trapping data collected in individual orchards may be uploaded to an IPM specialist's computer, facilitating evaluation of data, and creating of a trapping data network.

Although the current proposal is for a pilot program for Virginia fruit producers, the final product will lend itself easily to growers in other states in the Southeast, and can be adapted to other commodities as well, largely by substituting files contained in the PDA.

Specific applications that work towards the goals of the project are discussed below:

Personal Digital Assistants:
Personal digital assistants (aka PDAs, organizers, handhelds) are small (pocket-sized) computers that have become popular as personal organizers.  Many popular models have 8-16 MB of memory; some models possess quite a bit more, but at a higher cost.
Basic functions may be adapted for the individual user (address book, date book, expenses, to-do-list etc.).
Data files are backed up and updated when PDA is synchronized with desktop computer.  The user may also use memory cards, depending on the PDA model, available at an exta cost.  This not only can back up data, but expands the memory of the device.  This extra safeguard may easily pay for itself with added security.  Several operating systems are available.  The Palm OS is used by Palm devices.  Palm OS devices were selected for this project because of cost, and ease of use.

Virginia Fruit Web Site In the initial phase of the Fruit AdVisor program, web-clipping software was used to install current web pages onto the PDA or smart phone.  With the proliferation of smart phones, and the termination of the web-clipping service, our program now relies entirely on wireless connectivity.  The existing Virginia Fruit Web Site has been modified and streamlined to fit the small PDA, and the crop pages (apple, grape, stone fruit, pear, and small fruit) are available as AvantGo channels.  Examples of the information included are:

• Population biology and pest identification and monitoring
• Updates on pest development and regulatory issues (Bayer FQPA notice and Confirm emergency registration notification for GBM). Regulatory changes can be announced as soon as they are known to the extension specialists, updated in the web page, and installed automatically into the grower's PDA upon the next synchronization.
• Notice of grower meetings.  This feature has been used to announce planned meeting at the beginning of the season, as well as changes in meeting site or date.
• Current fruit pest control recommendations (pest recommendations and pesticide information). Changes in registration status (either new or cancelled uses) can be reflected much more rapidly here than in hard copy publications or the Virginia Cooperative Extension's posted pdf version.
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• Through wireless connectivity, there is also the potential for active web browsing (see Bookmarks).  Wireless model are often combined with mobile phones.

• Some newer PDAs contain internal cameras that may e-mail images to extension agents or specialists for aid in evaluation; image quality may not be equivalent to a stand-alone digital camera.  Another limitation has been the lack of ability to focus for close-up objects.  Digital images may be created on some older models using the eyemodule2 Digital camera for Visor (images - pheromone dispenser, fruitworm injury).  When images are transferred to the desktop, they are in color, even with monochrome PDA models.  These images may then be sent by e-mail.
  

• Several GPS receivers on available for PDAs. Garmin GPS incorporated into PDA (Garmin iQue 3600).
• Currently can mark locations of individual farms.  Potential for farm-level mapping?
• Track movement of new pest distribution though state?

• For wireless PDA, PDA-adapted Weather Underground forecasts