Office of Public Relations and Outreach (OPRO)

What is the OPRO?

OPRO's mission is to educate the public and APS members on matters related to about plant health, plant diseases, and associated microorganisms, increase media coverage of plant health issues in order to demonstrate the value of plant pathology to society, promote interactions with other scientific and professional organizations, and assist the Public Policy Board in strengthening advocacy for science-based public policy. OPRO coordinates interactions with other scientific and professional organizations to increase media coverage of plant health issues in order to demonstrate the value of plant pathology to society. View the OPRO Mission Statement. 
 

OPRO activities

Media Relations

Under the direction of the OPRO, news releases are sent regularly to the media. The Media/Outreach Center, also includes a brief explanation about the importance of plant pathology, along with current and past news releases, fact sheets on recent hot topics in plant pathology, and an invitation to join the news release list. Many OPRO-generated news releases have been published by the media. Read a listing of recent media mentions. 

K-12 & College; Student and Teacher Outreach

APS recognizes that young people are the scientists, policymakers, and practitioners of the future and should therefore be included in OPRO's outreach efforts. OPRO youth programs include:

• Annual Meeting Teacher Workshop
• Careers in Plant Science Brochure
• Future Farmers of America Show
• International Science and Engineering Fair
• MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences Conference)
• Plant Pathology: Past to Present, an illustrated storybook
• Plants Get Sick Too! Poster

View a comprehensive overview of OPRO activities.  

OPRO initiatives

"What is Plant Pathology or Phytopathology?"

This is a Powerpoint presentation developed by OPRO for use in lectures and public speaking engagements. Members are welcome to download and use this presentation (PowerPoint format 4.9 MB).

Plant Pathology: Past to Present.

This is an illustrated storybook describing the origin, relevance, and science of plant pathology. Available for downloading in English and in Spanish translation on APSnet

Plant Detectives Poster. This poster provides a fun, visual discovery of plant diseases and the work plant pathologists do to detect them. The poster can be downloaded directly from APSnet.

Plants Get Sick Too Poster. A fun illustration of how plant pathologists keep plants healthy. The poster can be downloaded directly from APSnet.       

How to contact the OPRO

Click here for a list of OPRO Board members.

 

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 The American Phytopathological Society