Biological Controls for Better Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Honing your IPM skills can both increase production efficiency and improve your bottom line.

Encouraging populations of natural predators, or biological controls, to control farm pests is a strategy as old as agriculture itself. Recent advances in research and farm management have created new frontiers in harnessing the power of insect predators as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to reducing pesticide use while minimizing crop damage.

Join us for a full-day workshop catered to experienced vegetable growers and horticulturalists to learn how you can increase production efficiency and improve your bottom line using modern IPM strategies. We’ll cover:

• how to accurately identify pests and beneficial insects;
• how to control common pests such as western flower thrips, mites, aphids, and whiteflies;
• strategies for managing disease on leaves and roots, including controlling downy mildew in cucurbits, spinach, lettuce, and basil; and
• how to safely and effectively use biological products.

You’ll leave this workshop equipped with IPM strategies that will help you foster a more balanced, more resilient farm ecosystem.  

Speakers

Steve Bogash, Marrone Bio Innovations: Steve retired as a Horticulture Educator and Researcher, PSU Cooperative Extension in June 2016. Since retiring, Steve now works with the product development team at Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. to create, field test, and market new biological plant pest management products. He continues to conduct applied research in field and high tunnels on grapes, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and processing tomatoes seeking to improve yields and quality. Proactive pest management using biological control agents is an important factor in all of these trials.

Jim Harvey, Penn State Extension: Jim has been the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) regulation educator at Penn State University since 2004. Prior to that, Jim worked as a regional farm safety educator at Penn State Extension. Jim works with growers across PA helping them understand and implement their Worker Protection Standard compliance efforts. Individual farm visits are free, as are any related materials he distributes.

Alex Traven, Peace Tree Farm: Alex is head grower at his family’s state-of-the-art eco-conscious greenhouse operation Peace Tree Farm. After graduating from Cornell University in 2012, he worked in cut flower and organic vegetable production before returning to Peace Tree Farm in 2014. He is now fully immersed in the world of biological controls and helping to advance the business towards environmental sustainability and the cutting edge of agriculture.

Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Buglady Consulting: Suzanne is a horticultural entomologist specializing in Integrated Pest Management. Suzanne has been involved in the Green Industry for more than 25 years with a primary focus on biological control and using pesticides properly. She holds degrees in both entomology and environmental horticulture. She has worked throughout the U.S. and internationally providing consulting services to greenhouses, nurseries, landscapers, cannabis production, and interiorscape companies.

Additional information

This event qualifies for two SmartStart credits through AgChoice Farm Credit. SmartStart allows young and beginning farmers to earn credits toward a reduced interest rate on a new AgChoice loan by attending educational events.

Questions?

Take a look at our frequently asked questions about our workshops and events. Otherwise, please contact this event’s coordinator, Dan Dalton, by email at dan@pasafarming.org or by phone at (814) 349-9856 x710.

Register