New York State Integrated Pest Management Program Names New Coordinator

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 21, 2023) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s partner, the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program is pleased to announce the appointment of Germán Vargas as its first grape IPM coordinator.

As a part of the third largest wine-producing state in the nation, New York grape growers work nearly 35,000 acres, producing 128,000 tons of juice grapes, 57,000 tons of wine grapes, and 2,000 tons of table grapes each year. In the new role, Vargas will grow and sustain the state’s booming grape industry by working collaboratively, across disciplines, and with a variety of stakeholders to develop, demonstrate and guide IPM implementation efforts.

“The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program has long offered research, extension, outreach, and practical guidance to the grape industry, and we are tremendously grateful to state officials for supporting a position dedicated to serving wine growers and producers statewide,” Calixto said. “We are tremendously excited to welcome Germán to the NYSIPM team and know he will be an incredible asset to our team and the Empire State grape industry.”

A native of Colombia, Vargas is an award-winning entomologist with over 40 publications including peer-reviewed and extension. He has a Ph.D. from Kansas State University and most recently served as a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center, where he worked to develop a comprehensive, integrated pest management plan for the hibiscus bud weevil.

Vargas’ position will be based out of the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory in Portland, NY, beginning June 20, 2023. CCE Chautauqua Executive Director, Emily Reynolds is pleased to have such expertise available here in our county. The Lake Erie Regional Grape team and research specialist located in Portland, the heart of concord grape belt, provide the county and the state with exceptional resources and producer support. “We are exceedingly excited to welcome Germán and his family to Chautauqua County and look forward to his participation and collaboration with our regional team.”

The IPM Program is one of many partnering organizations of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated March 21, 2023