IPM Works LLC: Principal

Fostering Adoption of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture and Communities

Thomas Green, Ph.D., CCA, TSP

Dr. Green has been a national leader in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for more than twenty years. IPM relies on long-term, preventative strategies to manage pests effectively, with pesticide use as a last resort.

Published studies document 50% to 90% reductions in pesticide use and pest problems through IPM in both agriculture and communities. Yet, overuse of pesticides persists, even in sensitive environments including schools, hospitals, nursing homes and food production, processing and distribution facilities.

Studies also indicate negative health and environmental risks from indiscriminate use of pesticides and fertilizers. More than 75% of streams tested contain five or more pesticide residues; the average adult body contains 17 pesticide-related contaminants. Many pesticides are known carcinogens or developmental or reproductive toxins.

Dr. Green has dedicated his career to helping to improve health, environment and economics through IPM.  He is a frequent speaker at national and regional meetings on the power of marketplace IPM to reduce health and environmental risks. He has been quoted in national publications including American Fruit Grower, Organic Gardening, Nursery Management and Production, and Dealer & Applicator. Dr. Green has provided essential support via seminars, training and program development to corporations, government and non-governmental organizations working to improve the health and environmental consequences of agricultural production and pest control in community settings. His four successful startups include initiatives in IPM product supply, consulting, risk management and certification and standards development. He has created certification standards, performance evaluation tools and auditor training programs for IPM, soil and water conservation, animal welfare and fair treatment of farm workers. These programs are now in use in more than forty crops as well as school systems and professional services.

Dr. Green was recognized by US EPA Region V in 2003 for "Outstanding Efforts to Improve School Integrated Pest Management both within Wisconsin and Nationally."  The IPM Institute of North America, Inc., which he co-founded and manages, was recognized by US EPA as  Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program National Champion in 2004 and 2005, and by the US EPA Office of Children's Health in 2005.  He currently co-chairs the steering committee for the Sixth International IPM Symposium scheduled for Portland, OR, March 24-26, 2009.

He holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Massachusetts and is a Certified Crop Advisor and NRCS-approved Technical Service Provider.

Awards:

2005 & 2004      US EPA. Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program National Champion to the IPM Institute.

2005                US EPA. Office of Children’s Health Protection.  Children’s Environmental Health Recognition Award to the IPM Institute..

2003                 US EPA Region V Award of Recognition to Thomas Green  for outstanding efforts to promote school IPM within Wisconsin and nationally.

Recent publications:

Green, T.A., 2008. Private sector roles in advancing IPM adoption. In Radcliffe, E.B. and W.D. Hutchison, eds., Integrated Pest Management, Cambridge University Press. In press.

Green, T.A. and S. Wright. 2008. Consumers and the Marketplace: Profit with a Conscience. In M. Aluja, T. Leskey and C. Vincent, eds. Biorational Management of Tree Fruit Pests. CABI, Wallingford, UK. In press.

Green, T.A., 2008. Green Pest Management — It’s a Mindset and More. Pest Management Professional Magazine, Buzz Online eNewsletter. April 2008.

Green, T.A., 2008. Making Green with Green, or “Would You Like Fries with That?” Pest Management Professional Magazine. April 2008.

Green, T.A., 2008. Going Green Is a Journey, Not a Destination. Pest Management Professional Magazine. January 2008. 

Green, T.A., editor. 1999-2008. Bibliography of IPM Certification, Labeling and Marketing. On-line publication, continuously updated. http://www.ipminstitute.org/ipm_bibliography.htm

Green, T.A., editor. 1999-2008. Links to IPM Product and Service Recognition Programs and Information. On-line publication, continuously updated. http://www.ipminstitute.org/links.htm

Green, T.A., D.H. Gouge, L.A. Braband, C.R. Foss and L.C. Graham. 2007. IPM STAR Certification for School Systems: Rewarding Pest Management Excellence in Schools and Childcare Facilities. Amer. Entomol. 53(3)150-157.

Siddiqi, Z., T. Green and J. Bail. 2007. A Manufacturer’s Playbook to Pests and Food Safety: Steps to a Better Integrated Pest Management Program. Food and Consumer Products of Canada. 8 pp.

- complete list of publications - 

Recent presentations:

2008. BMP Workshop. Emmetsburg, IA. BMP CHALLENGE: How Much Can You Save?

2008. Linn County Nutrient Management Workshop. Marion, IA. BMP CHALLENGE: How Much Can You Save?

2008. SYSCO Sustainable/IPM Conference. West Palm Beach, FL. EcoApples: Producer, Agency and NGO Partnership Hits $1.3 Million in Annual Sales of IPM-Grown, Fresh Apples in the Northeast.

2008. Scotia Hort Conference, Kentville, NS. IPM and Sustainable Farming: Building Credibility through Third-Party Certification. 

2008. Scotia Hort Conference, Kentville, NS. The Greening of the Marketplace: Opportunities for Producers, Processors, Distributors and Retailers. 

2008. Nutrient Subcommittee, Chesapeake Bay Commission. Annapolis, MD. SYSCO Sustainable/IPM Program: Overview and Update. 

2007. Minnesota Association of Conservation Districts, Rochester, MN. BMP CHALLENGE: How Much Can You Save? 

2007. BMP CHALLENGE Workshop. Owatonna, MN. BMP CHALLENGE SM and Water Quality Trading: Opportunities for Farmers, Advisors and Educators.

2007. Red Tomato, Eco OkeUSA and Equal Exchange. Canton, MA. EcoApple Training.

2007. New York City Pest Management Committee, NYC. Green Shield Certification and IPM for Public Agencies.

2007. New York Pest Management Association, Suffern, NY. The Greening of the Pest Management Marketplace. 

2007. New Jersey Pest Management Association, Piscataway, NJ. The Greening of the Pest Management Marketplace. 

2007. Western Region School IPM Working Group. Portland, OR. IPM STAR, Green Shield Certification and the National Strategic Plan for School IPM.

2007. Food Industry Summit, US EPA, Crystal City, VA. Overview of Food Industy-Led Stewardship Initiatives.

2007. National Dialogue on IAQ and IPM, US EPA, Crystal City, VA. Healthy Indoor Environments: IPM Works! 

2007. Southern Region School IPM Working Group, Atlanta, GA. IPM STAR and the National Strategic Plan for School IPM.

2007. Maine Governor’s Task Force to Promote Safer Chemicals in Consumer Products, Augusta, ME. Reducing Hazards through IPM: Opportunities & Incentives in the Marketplace and in Public Agencies.

2007. Buying Structural Pest Management Services: Smart Purchasing Reduces Pesticide Use and Pest Complaints, Los Angeles, CA. Organized by the IPM Institute. The Case for IPM; Certification Options.

2007. Michigan BMP CHALLENGE and Water Quality Trading Workshop, Shelbyville, MI. Organized by Agflex. BMP CHALLENGE.

2007. SYSCO Sustainable Agriculture/IPM Initiative Conference, Woodland, WI. Organized by the IPM Institute, SYSCO and the USDA Western Region IPM Center. Moderator.

2007. Meeting the Growing Demand for Natural and Organic Lawn and Landscape Care, Madison, WI. Organized by the IPM Institute. Why Bother?; Certification Options.

2007. Department of Defense Pest Management Workshop, Jacksonville, FL. IPM in Child Development Center Initiative.

2007. Northwest Food Processors Annual Meeting, Portland, OR. IPM in the Sustainable Marketplace.

- complete list of presentations - 

Recent funding obtained:

2008. North Central IPM Center, $30,000 renewal funding to increase collaboration among NRCS and IPM professionals in the North Central region by forming a working group, in collaboration with Michigan State University.

2008. North Central IPM Center, $30,000 to increase adoption of IPM in schools in the North Central region by forming a working group, in collaboration with Iowa State University.

2007. USDA RMA Minority Producers Grant, $147,000 to develop sustainable ag protocols and marketing support for African American producers in Georgia.

2007. USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant, $805,012 to develop a comprehensive pesticide environmental assessment tool for US agriculture.

2007. Heller Foundation and Natural Resources Defense Council. $150,000 to develop, promote and implement Green Shield Certification for pest management professionals.

2007. Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, $20,000, and Chesapeake Bay Commission, $25,000, to pilot enhanced nutrient management for corn producers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

- complete list of funding obtained - 

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