A seven state program funded by the Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program (RAMP) was developed to design pest management systems that utilized reduced risk (RR) tactics (i.e., selective insecticides, mating disruption, natural enemies, etc) without the use of organophosphate (OP) and carbamate insecticides in apple orchards in the eastern U.S. The goal of this project was to integrate research, education, and Extension outreach in working with stakeholders to develop and implement cost effective, sustainable and information intensive pest management systems that address critical biological, economic, and regulatory concerns of growers who face the possible elimination of OP and carbamate insecticides. Paired comparisons of RR versus standard grower programs were made at the same 51 orchard locations from 2002 to 2005. Through 2004, the RR programs overall continued to give equivalent or better fruit protection than conventional insecticide programs for the major direct pests of apples (i.e., codling moth, Oriental fruit moth, plum curculio, apple maggot, leafrollers). Control of secondary pests of apples in RR blocks has been excellent. Populations of natural enemies were equal or higher in RR blocks than conventional blocks. After the first three years of the project, the RR programs have virtually eliminated OP and carbamate insecticide use in all apple sites. However, costs of RR programs are excessively high ranging from 26 to 183% more than the conventional programs. Another concern includes the possible development of resistance to RR insecticides because of the limited number of allowable products for rotation in a resistance management program.