The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab recently achieved Core Accreditation through the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN). This designation highlights the lab’s commitment to excellence in plant disease diagnostics and its vital role in supporting plant health and biosecurity across Maine and the northeastern U.S.

Led by Assistant Diagnostician Stephanie Shea and Director Alicyn Smart, the lab joins an elite network of diagnostic facilities nationwide that meet rigorous standards set by the NPDN Core Accreditation Program, making it the second land-grant University to achieve this designation.

“This milestone recognizes our lab’s dedication to high-quality diagnostics and continuous improvement,” said Smart. “It reflects the hard work of our team and our responsibility in protecting Maine’s agriculture and ecosystems from invasive pests and pathogens.”

The NPDN Core Accreditation Program provides a framework for diagnostic labs to develop and implement a comprehensive quality management system. This ensures consistent accuracy, professionalism and preparedness across the network. Core Accreditation means that the UMaine Extension lab has successfully met quality standards in areas such as diagnostic protocols and standard operating procedures; equipment maintenance and calibration; data management and recordkeeping; staff training and proficiency testing; and risk mitigation and biosecurity practices.

As part of the NPDN, which includes over 70 labs across the U.S., the UMaine Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab plays a critical role in early detection and response to emerging plant threats such as beech leaf disease. 

“By achieving Core Accreditation, our lab strengthens Maine’s readiness to respond to plant health threats quickly and effectively,” said Shea. “We’re proud to contribute to national diagnostic excellence and safeguard the region’s agricultural economy and environment.”

The lab provides diagnostic services to growers, homeowners, industry professionals and government agencies. In addition to diagnostics, it supports plant health through educational outreach, applied research and collaborations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and other regional partners.

For more information about the UMaine Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab and its services, visit the program webpage.

About University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.