The Department of Agriculture and Forestry has appointed an Integrated Pest Management Specialist to help producers reduce the use of pesticides. Rachael Cheverie, a native of East Point, took up her new duties in August.
Cheverie holds a B.Sc. in agriculture from MacDonald College and a Master's degree from the University of Guelph. She has been working with Dow Agrosciences Canada conducting field trials in a number of vegetable, fruit and field crops. She also worked at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Centre on a project to control the Colorado potato beetle.
In making the announcement, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill said Cheverie brings a strong combination of training and experience to her new duties. "As a native Islander, she is also knowledgeable about local conditions and will work closely with Island producers to help them reach their goal of reducing pesticide use," he said.
The new position is in response to one of the recommendations from the Round Table on Resource Land Use and Stewardship. It recommended establishing the position to provide information and extension support to producers to adopt more environmentally-friendly approaches to control pests and diseases. Integrated Pest Management (or IPM) uses a combination of biological, cultural and chemical approaches, and promotes prevention of diseases rather than treatment of the symptoms.
Mr. Hammill said that establishing the new position reflects the department's commitment to help the industry adopt IPM practices and better control diseases.