Farm Progress

Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management Program creates new YouTube Channel.

June 6, 2018

3 Min Read
NEW VIEW: A YouTube channel created by ISU helps viewers to identify and manage insect and disease pests.

The Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management program created its own YouTube Channel to promote the efforts of ISU scientists and researchers in providing means-tested crop and pest management solutions for use in Iowa and beyond.

At the Integrated Pest Management Iowa State University channel, viewers will find content detailing the efforts of the IPM program, best practices and information, and demonstrations on how to identify insect and disease pests, as well as their impacts on field crops.

“With the creation of a specified channel for ISU IPM, the IPM program will be able to diversify the information and content we create to make it more adaptive, more understandable and more effective in promoting our message,” says IPM Director Daren Mueller, an ISU Extension plant pathologist. “The use of video will further our mission to inform farmers, gardeners and agribusiness professionals of the best crop and pest management techniques, to not only create optimal yields, but to prevent pest resistance and other adverse consequences of chemical misuse.”

The new channel will also feature videos from ISU Extension’s Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic about identifying horticultural diseases and pests in homes and gardens, as well as showcase how-to videos about sampling and pest prevention.

The channel will also feature custom playlists of video content created outside of the ISU IPM program, to communicate the efforts and research of departments across several universities in the region to promote the overall mission of Integrated Pest Management: helping stakeholders effectively and safely manage pests.

The IPM program will use the YouTube channel as one of several ways to promote means-tested practices for crop and pest management. Click the subscribe link on the channel to be informed of future video programming. To get tuned in on the most up-to-date activities of IPM, follow the program on Twitter @IPM_ISU.

Michel joins ISU Extension as field agronomist

0604W2-1641B.jpgJoshua Michel, a former agricultural specialist at the Muscatine Island Research Farm, is joining the 10 other Iowa State University Extension field agronomists to deliver education and programming to support Iowa farmers. He will cover the southeast section of the state, with his office based out of Louisa County.

Michel served the ISU research farm at Muscatine since January 2017. While at the farm, he was responsible for coordinating corn and soybean field studies that included planting, harvesting, tillage and pest management. Michel also took part in several field days and classroom events to educate area farmers and industry representatives on current research and best practices.

“I greatly enjoyed my time with the research and demonstration farm,” he says. “My time there provided a great foundation for ag education and learning. I look forward to continuing that education and learning while being able to help educate and support Iowa farmers.”

Prior to working at the Muscatine Island Research Farm, Michel worked for DuPont Pioneer at Johnston for five years. There, he was responsible for overseeing irrigation and fertilizer operations for more than 60 greenhouses and 20 growth chambers. He also contributed to research on corn and soybean production. Michel received the Research Contribution Award for his leadership, problem-solving and meeting of goals while employed by DuPont Pioneer.

For over a decade, Michel served in the Iowa Army National Guard earning the rank of sergeant, first class. He was a senior military intelligence analyst and earned superior ratings in leadership training. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals and the Iowa Commendation Medal. A graduate of Upper Iowa University with a degree in biology and conservation management, he is working toward a master’s degree in agronomy at Iowa State University.

Source: Iowa State University

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