Marion Murray, IPM Project Leader
Since Marion Murray’s arrival to USU in the fall of 2006, she has provided tremendous energy and leadership to the Utah Extension Integrated Pest Management Program. Marion’s major responsibilities include direction and management of the Utah IPM Pest Advisory Service [3 seasonal weekly and 1 quarterly advisories distributed via e-mail to over 1,100 subscribers and posted on the Utah Pests website (www.utahpests.usu.edu). Advisory topics include: tree fruits, small fruits and vegetables, ornamentals, and turf], the on-line pest model and decision-aid system called Utah TRAPs (utilizes weather data to predict pest activity and control timings), the USU orchard weather station network, the USU Extension IPM and Sustainable Agriculture Mini-Grant Program that provides funding to counties to conduct IPM demonstration and educational projects (co-directed with Bob Newhall), and the Utah Pests quarterly newsletter (initiator and editor since 2007).
Marion has authored and co-authored 8 fact sheets and 7 pest sampling forms and serves as Web master for the 4 Utah Pests Web pages (IPM, Insects, Plant Diseases, and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab). Marion has been on the forefront of assessing stakeholder needs and accessibility to IPM educational materials and programs. In 2008, Marion delivered 17 presentations to annual stakeholder conferences, pesticide recertification workshops, professional meetings, USU courses, and employee training programs. Marion has lectured and led programs across the State. She effectively utilizes multiple forms of educational outreach including the Web, printed materials, radio, group presentations, and face-to-face contacts. Additionally, Marion has been involved in applied research projects and garnered funding to support the Utah IPM Program mission.
Although Marion was trained as a plant pathologist, the IPM position is multi-disciplinary and she is highly effective in working with a broad range of people, including USU Extension staff, state and federal agencies, growers, homeowners, landscape managers, and many others. Marion is a critical member of the Utah Pests team and her expertise in delivery of high quality and relevant education shines through every time. In conclusion, Marion is a highly valuable Extension Specialist and USU Extension has made tremendous strides in IPM education under her leadership.