State Sen. Hoffmann is winner of annual Friend of IPM Award

Hoffmann

By Carrie Koplinka-Loehr

New York State Sen. Nancy Larraine Hoffmann (R-49th Dist.), who chairs the State Senate's Agriculture Committee and raises beef cattle on her Onondaga County farm, has received the Friend of IPM Award, the highest honor given by the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program at Cornell. The award, presented Jan. 8 at the New York State Agricultural Society's annual agricultural forum in Syracuse, recognizes outstanding efforts of individuals who encourage the practice of IPM -- dealing with insects, weeds and diseases in ways that pose minimal economic, environmental and human health risks.

In recent years, Hoffmann's support has helped the state IPM Program to continue a grants program and reach out to growers in a number of ways, such as posting pest-management guidelines on the Web, offering electronic weather information, and developing record-keeping software that helps apple growers meet market demands. From 2001 to 2003, in part with support from Hoffmann, the state IPM Program funded 128 projects focused on improved methods for producers.

Susan A. Henry, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Cornell's New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, applauded Hoffmann's "unwavering support and commitment to New York farmers in supporting the development and implementation of practical and cost-effective tools for agriculture." Henry said, "We honor Senator Hoffmann for her support of the IPM program and her partnership with the college on behalf of New York state agriculture."

"Agriculture is more important to New York than many in Albany realize," said Hoffmann in receiving the award. "It is sometimes a struggle to get my colleagues to understand the need for high quality research, when compared to other issues that have more powerful public images and lobbyists, like medical care, education and senior citizens."

From 2001-03, in part with support from Hoffmann, the state IPM Program was able to fund 128 projects focused on improved methods for producers. Some of the funded projects included posting pest-management guidelines on the web, offering electronic weather information, and developing record-keeping software that helps apple growers meet market demands.