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Program Staff: Abby Seaman

Vegetable IPM Extension Area Educator (since 1993)

NYSAES, Geneva, 315.787.2422

ajs32@cornell.edu

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • M.S., Entomology, Cornell University, 1990

  • B.S., Plant Protection, Cornell University, 1980

  • Worked in several research technical positions, 1980-92.

  • Field director and editor, IPM Laboratories, 1990-92

Professional activities

Responsibilities

  • Provide leadership and support for IPM demonstrations and education in vegetables in the western half of NY.

  • Supervise research support and temporary field staff.

Current/Ongoing Projects

  • Farming system research and outreach to organic vegetable growers: Research project examining the impact of soil quality and ecosystem factors on pest populations, and extension project to conduct educational and demonstration programs for organic vegetable growers.

  • Pepper IPM demonstrations: On-farm, split field demonstrations comparing the efficacy, cost, and environmental impact of IPM practices with grower’s current practices.

  • Sweet corn pheromone trap network: Coordinate a network of 20 trapping locations throughout western and central NY. Compile and post weekly catches on our vegetable staff listserv along with interpretation, scouting and threshold information.

  • Late blight network: Obtain funding for field staff access to late blight forecasts on NEWA, manage listserv that facilitates communication among faculty and field staff in NY and surrounding states.

Accomplishments (Past Five Years)

  • Fresh Market Sweet Corn Grower Demonstrations and Education. For the on-farm component of Curt Petzoldt’s SARE funded sweet corn systems we demonstrated three different approaches to pest management in corn: Split field comparisons of current IPM practices with current grower practices, and on other farms, the use of Trichogramma ostriniae with or without Bt for European corn borer management.

  • Tomato IPM Demonstrations. On-farm split-field demonstrations of insect thresholds and the use of TOMCAST, weather based forecasting system for the major fungal diseases of tomato.

  • Cucurbit IPM Demonstrations: On-farm split-field demonstrations comparing the use of scouting and thresholds with growers’ practices.

  • IPM labeling: Developed and conducted educational programs for growers, demonstrated and refined IPM procedures for new fresh market crops such as tomatoes and peppers, helped develop new elements as they were requested, and participated in annual review of existing elements.

  • Pilot testing of T. ostriniae for ECB control in fresh market sweet corn: Initial trials of inundative releases of T. ostriniae in commercial scale settings.

Memberships and Service

  • Entomological Society of America

  • International Organization for Biological Control

  • American Society for Alternative Agriculture

  • New York State Vegetable Conference planning committee

  • Vegetable IPM Implementation Committee

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These pages are maintained by the New York State IPM Program, part of Cornell Cooperative Extension. All material is protected by Section 107 of the 1976 copyright law. Copyright is held by Cornell University and the New York State IPM Program.