Integrated Pest Management Is Hard

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

I was in the early stages of my career as an entomologist when I realized that integrated pest management (IPM) is hard. In fact, putting IPM into practice can be even tougher than conducting the research behind it. After earning my bachelor’s degree in entomology from Michigan State University, I was eager to cut my teeth in the “real world.” Early mentors like Rufus Isaacs, who graciously tolerated me for a few years as a research technician, encouraged me to pursue experience in the industry. Rufus sent me a job posting for an agricultural scout position at Hamilton Agronomy (now Keystone Cooperative), located back in my hometown. I was hesitant. At 22, the idea of moving back in with my parents wasn’t appealing. I also carried a bit of a complex, believing that any production system relying on agrichemicals was inherently flawed. But after interviewing, I realized that this role would offer a foundational experience working directly with growers. I took the job. Little did I know it would fundamentally reshape the way I viewed IPM.