We are very pleased to announce that Dan Olmstead has been hired for the full time NEWA Coordinator position …for the entire network! Ring in the New Year!! Dan will start in his Extension Associate position as NEWA Coordinator in the NY State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program on January 1, 2017. Officially his first day will be January 3rd, since Cornell University will be closed for the Holidays until then.
Dan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Nazareth College, Rochester, NY. He has 15 years experience using open source (QGIS) and proprietary (ArcGIS) platforms and graduate-level training in design and use of geographic information systems. He received the first place award for GIS posters at a Rochester, NY conference and has created numerous GIS-based maps and figures for peer-reviewed publications.
His Master of Science degree is in Entomology from Cornell University, which he achieved in a short four years—while working full time as a Research Support Specialist on Insect Ecology and Vegetable Pest Management! His MS thesis research was on corn earworm and titled New perspectives on the management of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in United States sweet corn: implications for 21st century production and IPM tactics.
The topic of his interview seminar was European corn borer, titled European corn borer and the evolution of insect pest forecasting, which is recorded on WebEx’ streaming recording link:
https://cornell.webex.com/cornell/ldr.php?RCID=90f5312bc304e107e4b5897393cd6c0b. His seminar provides some really interesting insights on insect development, climate change, and day length. Plus, he provides an overview of his experience and vision for the position.
Dan stated in his application, “I am very excited about this position when I consider my experience, your needs and the future potential it holds not only for myself, but for the New York State IPM Program and all the stakeholders that utilize NEWA and its management tools” (emphasis added). That means You!
Please join me in welcoming Dan Olmstead to the position of NEWA Coordinator!
Juliet Carroll, Leader of NEWA and Fruit IPM Coordinator, NYS IPM Program
Welcome Dan! The NEWA site is a tool I use almost every day during the growing season. I look forward to your input on the site.
Jim Thompson
Martha Clara Vineyards
Welcome Dan! My weather station and the NEWA info are indispensable for us!
Welcome Dan! Congratulations. NEWA has become a very important resource for farmers. I look forward to meeting you someday soon.
Tony Emmi
Emmi & Sons Inc.
Fruit and Vegetable Farms, Baldwinsville NY
Jim and Fred, thanks! I look forward to meeting both of you and seeing how you use NEWA.