Funmi Ajiferuke and Dennis Baffour-Awuah had the chance to share research results from our USDA SCRI-funded Eastern Tree Fruit project at the Integrative Precision Agriculture Conference held in Perry, Georgia. Sponsored by Dr. Chin-Ling Lee, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication and a member of the UGA Integrative Precision Agriculture Center, Funmi and Dennis highlighted what pest challenges Eastern Tree fruit (peach and apple) growers are facing, the benefits and challenges of Integrative Pest Management, and future research needs based on the 7 focus group the Lamm Lab conducted up and down the eastern sea board since January. Discussions were lively and showcased the importance of the human decision-making process as we think about scientific innovation.
Members of the research team who spoke with over 90 tree fruit growers to collect insights and analyzed the data included Dr. Alexa Lamm, Dr Chin-Ling Lee, Dr. Allison Byrd, Dr. Ginger Orton, Dr. Tracey Leskey (USDA ARS), and Dr. Gigi DiGiacamo (University of Minnesota).
