Expert Insights on IPM: A Conversation with Anna Wallis at Cornell University
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, offering effective strategies to manage pests and diseases while minimizing impacts on the environment and human health. At the heart of advancing IPM education and resources for the fruit industry in NY is Anna Wallis, the Fruit IPM Coordinator at New York State Integrated Pest Management at Cornell University.
Farmers in, take note: Wallis and NYSIPM’s initiatives are invaluable resources for adopting and improving IPM practices on your farms.
Anna Wallis: Championing IPM at Cornell University
Anna Wallis is a seasoned expert in IPM, bringing years of experience in plant pathology, insect monitoring, and horticulture to her role. As NYSIPM’s Fruit IPM Coordinator, she oversees numerous extension programs aimed at empowering farmers with the tools and knowledge to implement effective pest and disease management strategies. Her goal? To demystify IPM for farmers of all scales and arm them with actionable insights.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the biology and mechanisms of pests and diseases. Understanding how they work is key to building a successful IPM program.”
Anna WallisCornell’s New York State IPM Program: a treasure trove of resources
Cornell University’s New York State IPM Program is a flagship initiative offering extensive resources for farmers. Funded by the state, the program supports research and education, including hands-on assistance to growers navigating the challenges of pest management. Wallis focuses on fruit IPM, but the program is broad in scope, addressing agricultural production, community IPM (think bed bugs, ticks, structural pests), invasive species, and many types of IPM in between. To learn more about the program, visit the NYSIPM website: nysipm.cornell.edu.
One standout online resource is Cornell’s online tree fruit scouting course. This program introduces farmers to scouting methods, pest identification, and pest forecasting using tools like NEWA’s real-time monitoring platform. The course also trains farmers and their teams to implement IPM programs directly on their farms, fostering a practical, hands-on approach to pest and disease management. Wallis emphasizes that the online courses through the small farm program are designed to cater to farms of all sizes, growers, consultants, and hobbyists alike.
“We want to give farmers the tools to not just identify pests but to actively manage them,” says Wallis. “Our courses make IPM accessible and practical, even for smaller operations.”
Additionally, Cornell’s Pesticide Safety and Education Program (a part of NYSIPM) offers a library of Pest Management Guidelines tailored to specific crops, including tree fruits and berries. These publications, which can be purchased in hardcopy or digital format, cover available products, rates, timing, and management strategies, providing growers with science-backed recommendations they can implement immediately. Additionally, IPM fact sheets, available online as PDFs and new re-designed webpages, offer comprehensive information about key pests, including biology, identification, and IPM management strategies.

Looking Ahead: Agtech and the Future of IPM
As the agricultural landscape evolves, Wallis sees immense potential in agtech platforms to revolutionize IPM practices. Tools that aggregate regional pest data can provide early warnings and improve disease modeling, helping farmers stay ahead of pest pressures exacerbated by climate change. However, she cautions that data privacy is a critical concern. State-wide extensions often focus on regional reporting to balance the benefits of data sharing with privacy safeguards.
“Agtech together with predictive modeling will play a pivotal role in the future of IPM,” Wallis predicts. “But it’s crucial to ensure that data-sharing platforms are designed with farmer privacy in mind.”
Wallis also emphasized that the focus of IPM should also be on preventative methods. The power of predictive models are that they anticipate the need for interventions, they are proactive tools for managing the emergence of pests and diseases, rather than being reactive (which is often too late) or acting on a calendar type basis.
Why Farmers should look to Cornell
Whether you’re in New York or beyond, Cornell University’s IPM initiatives provide a robust framework for managing pests and diseases effectively. From online courses to downloadable guides, the resources are there for those ready to take their IPM practices to the next level.
“IPM isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution,” Wallis concludes. “It’s about understanding your crops, your pests, and finding what works best for your farm.”
For more information on IPM resources, visit New York State Integrated Pest Management at Cornell University online. With the right tools and guidance, farmers can improve sustainability and productivity while safeguarding their crops and the environment.
Using Farmable to Enhance IPM Practices
Farmable, an innovative farm management software, offers powerful tools to complement and enhance IPM practices. With features like digital scouting, pest and disease tracking, and automated data sharing, Farmable helps farmers streamline their IPM programs. By organizing field data and integrating it with monitoring platforms, farmers can make more informed decisions, optimize pesticide use, and stay proactive against pest pressures. It’s an ideal solution for growers seeking a tech-forward approach to managing their farms.
For more Information have a look at our previous articles about IPM:’
- Pest monitoring and management
- IPM: Biological vs chemical
- IPM & Farmable: a powerful duo for modern agriculture
- How to get started using Farmable.