275: Pest Friends: The IPM Simulator Changing How Farmers Think
Jun 19, 2025•54 min•Ep. 275
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Episode description
Pest Friends is a hands-on simulation that helps farmers make smarter Integrated Pest Management (IPM) decisions—by making the field a game board. Grant Loomis and Jason Thomas, Extension Educators with the University of Idaho, created Pest Friends to help players experience the real-life consequences of pest control. Players manage population dynamics, reacting to pest pressures, and decide when—and if—to intervene with pesticides, habitat modifications, or beneficial insect support. It’s not just educational—it’s a window into how people think about pest management.
Resources:- 266: Soft Pesticide Trial: Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Botrytis, and Sour Rot
- 271: Integrating Biological Solutions
- 272: 30 Gophers a Night: Why Barn Owls Belong in Your Vineyard
- Application of Integrated Pest Management Skills Through a Board Game Simulation
- Grant Loomis
- Jason Thomas
- New Pest Friends’ website helps pest managers thrive
- Pest Friends Game
- Pest Friends Game Overview
- Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast Pest Management Episodes
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