A Virtual Workshop for Intermediate & Advanced Farmers

Take your pest management skills to the next level! Join Margaret Skinner, an IPM expert with 38 years of experience, for a specialized training designed to help high tunnel growers build proactive, sustainable pest management strategies.

As a key member of the University of Vermont Entomology Research Laboratory, Margaret brings expertise from an interdisciplinary team dedicated to solving real-world pest challenges in greenhouse, high tunnel, landscape, and forest environments. This workshop will provide you with practical, research-based strategies to manage pests effectively, sustainably, and economically.

We’ll also be joined by Jack Manix of Walker Farm (walkerfarm.com), a certified organic vegetable farm and nursery in Vermont. This multigenerational farm operates 26 greenhouses, 30 acres of fruit and vegetables, and 25 acres of certified organic Christmas trees—giving them ample experience in managing pests across a range of crops. Walker Farm also has a robust nursery operation and a year-round CSA, making Jack an excellent resource for growers looking to improve their pest management strategies.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to develop an individualized pest management plan for your farm

✅ Best practices for proactive pest prevention in high tunnels

✅ Steps to take when you find pests—from identification to control

✅ Environmentally responsible and economically viable IPM solutions

Funding Aknowledgement

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40447.