Ludwig ‘asked for plants with insects,’ honored by pest management award
MESQUITE – Dr. Scott Ludwig, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service entomologist, has earned a regional award for his work on integrated pest management.
He won the Southern Region Friends of IPM Educator award bestowed by the Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Center at North Carolina State University.
Ludwig received the award in Mesquite on Feb. 6 at the annual conference of the Northeast Texas Nursery Growers Association.
“This is the only guy who has come into the nursery and asked for plants with insects on them -- and he pays for them,” said Bob Mallory, co-owner of Tram-Tex Nursery in Tyler. “We couldn’t get along without his help."
The award recognizes successful outreach and educational programs that raise awareness and widen the use of integrated pest management practices, according to the award’s call for nominations. The integrated pest management practice, according to the regional center in North Carolina, is a “science-based approach to managing pests in ways that generate economic, environmental and human health benefits.”
Ludwig won for “spreading the word about IPM,” authoring papers about it and collaborating with national organizations, according to an announcement from the center.
He was praised in his nomination by several nursery owners and growers.
“Scott has worked closely with us … has been actively involved with the nursery growers association and offered his expertise numerous times,” said Herman Vess, a grower with Bruce Miller Nursery Farm in Edgewood. “He is always willing to offer help and offer suggestions about potential (pest) treatments and provide research-based information.”
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