Western Colorado IPM Internship
Primary Topic:
Horticulture
Other Topics:
Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Systems
Internship Overview:
Overview of our IPM internship program
CSU Extension Entomology and the Western Colorado Research Center – Rogers Mesa (WCRC-RM) are seeking an Extension intern that will focus on investigating integrated pest management (IPM) in commodity crops in western Colorado. The intern will support a combination of projects conducting various fieldwork, data collection, and collaboration with agricultural stakeholders. The intern should be flexible and willing to work on multiple IPM related projects, especially those concerned with monitoring for insects and horticultural projects across the Tri-River Area. Overall, the intern will get exposure to protecting the heart of Colorado’s horticultural production through supporting various projects involving IPM through the Agricultural Experiment Station network and CSU Extension Entomology.
This internship will work mainly under Melissa Schreiner, CSU Extension Entomologist, located in Grand Junction and Dr. Brad Tonnessen, Research Scientist at WCRC-RM in Hotchkiss, CO. We will both help to support the intern and provide projects for them at both WCRC-RM and with CSU Extension. Dr. Todd Ballard, CSU Extension Agronomist in the Tri-River Area- will provide agronomic support and mentorship. Brad, Todd and myself will serve as a seasoned experts in the field, providing valuable insights into the principles and practices of IPM. We will all offer hands-on training on our projects relating to IPM that the intern will support. We will share practical experiences and knowledge to enhance the intern’s understanding of pest management strategies. We each will foster a collaborative learning environment, encouraging the intern to ask questions about the different pest systems they are working within in the Tri-River Area.
Internship Location: Tri-River Area
The Tri River Area comprises four counties (Delta, Mesa, Montrose, and Ouray) and three major rivers (Uncompahgre, Gunnison, and Colorado). The selected intern will be responsible for projects across multiple counties and should be able to travel across county lines occasionally to complete work-related projects. Grand Junction, Fruita, Hotchkiss, Delta, and Olathe are towns that the intern would commonly work in. The internship will be ON-SITE with housing available for the intern at WCRC-RM in Hotchkiss, CO, however, only respectful, responsible, and kind individuals will be accepted. The house is 3 bedrooms, behind a locked gate, and is used for visiting faculty, graduate students, and interns. References from past roommates may be obtained from the prospective intern before housing is guaranteed.
CSU Extension- Tri-River Area
Tri River Area CSU Extension mission – provide information, education and to encourage the application of research-based knowledge to the communities of Delta, Mesa, Montrose, and Ouray Counties. TRA Extension runs the only Extension Entomology program in the State of Colorado.
Western Colorado Research Center – Rogers Mesa:
As a 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC research center, WCRC-RM serves as a nationwide knowledge hub for organic agriculture in arid climates. Located in Hotchkiss, CO, the 80-acre property has 30 irrigated acres, a climate-controlled greenhouse, and equipment and infrastructure to support fruit tree orchards, grape vineyards, perennial pasture, and vegetable production. Their vision adheres to pertinent issues faced by growers with a focus on vegetables and perennial fruit crops, and 100% of the produce is donated to hunger relief organizations. Research topics include ecological pest and disease management, variety and rootstock trials, and regional adaptation of annual crops.
Are you are student considering our CSU Extension Internship?
Interested applicants should possess a resilient and adaptable mindset, demonstrating a high level of physical stamina, mental strength, and work ethic. The ability to work effectively under pressure, navigate unpredictable situations, and maintain composure in adverse weather or environmental conditions is crucial. Strong problem-solving skills, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn from hands-on experiences are essential traits for our intern’s success. Effective communication, a positive attitude, and collaboration skills are also vital for working seamlessly within our team, especially in remote/challenging field locations. The individual should be comfortable working in the field and occasionally alone in remote locations. They should obtain digital and paper map reading skills. Often our research can require the intern to drive to research sites, so a reliable car for transportation is important. Overall attention to detail and a commitment to safety protocols are desired traits so we can ensure not only the success of our fieldwork but also the well-being of everyone that makes up our team.
CSU Extension Entomology and the Western Colorado Research Center – Rogers Mesa (WCRC-RM) are seeking an Extension intern that will focus on investigating integrated pest management (IPM) in commodity crops in western Colorado. The intern will support a combination of projects conducting various fieldwork, data collection, and collaboration with agricultural stakeholders. The intern should be flexible and willing to work on multiple IPM related projects, especially those concerned with monitoring for insects and horticultural projects across the Tri-River Area. Overall, the intern will get exposure to protecting the heart of Colorado’s horticultural production through supporting various projects involving IPM through the Agricultural Experiment Station network and CSU Extension Entomology.
This internship will work mainly under Melissa Schreiner, CSU Extension Entomologist, located in Grand Junction and Dr. Brad Tonnessen, Research Scientist at WCRC-RM in Hotchkiss, CO. We will both help to support the intern and provide projects for them at both WCRC-RM and with CSU Extension. Dr. Todd Ballard, CSU Extension Agronomist in the Tri-River Area- will provide agronomic support and mentorship. Brad, Todd and myself will serve as a seasoned experts in the field, providing valuable insights into the principles and practices of IPM. We will all offer hands-on training on our projects relating to IPM that the intern will support. We will share practical experiences and knowledge to enhance the intern’s understanding of pest management strategies. We each will foster a collaborative learning environment, encouraging the intern to ask questions about the different pest systems they are working within in the Tri-River Area.
Internship Location: Tri-River Area
The Tri River Area comprises four counties (Delta, Mesa, Montrose, and Ouray) and three major rivers (Uncompahgre, Gunnison, and Colorado). The selected intern will be responsible for projects across multiple counties and should be able to travel across county lines occasionally to complete work-related projects. Grand Junction, Fruita, Hotchkiss, Delta, and Olathe are towns that the intern would commonly work in. The internship will be ON-SITE with housing available for the intern at WCRC-RM in Hotchkiss, CO, however, only respectful, responsible, and kind individuals will be accepted. The house is 3 bedrooms, behind a locked gate, and is used for visiting faculty, graduate students, and interns. References from past roommates may be obtained from the prospective intern before housing is guaranteed.
CSU Extension- Tri-River Area
Tri River Area CSU Extension mission – provide information, education and to encourage the application of research-based knowledge to the communities of Delta, Mesa, Montrose, and Ouray Counties. TRA Extension runs the only Extension Entomology program in the State of Colorado.
Western Colorado Research Center – Rogers Mesa:
As a 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC research center, WCRC-RM serves as a nationwide knowledge hub for organic agriculture in arid climates. Located in Hotchkiss, CO, the 80-acre property has 30 irrigated acres, a climate-controlled greenhouse, and equipment and infrastructure to support fruit tree orchards, grape vineyards, perennial pasture, and vegetable production. Their vision adheres to pertinent issues faced by growers with a focus on vegetables and perennial fruit crops, and 100% of the produce is donated to hunger relief organizations. Research topics include ecological pest and disease management, variety and rootstock trials, and regional adaptation of annual crops.
Are you are student considering our CSU Extension Internship?
Interested applicants should possess a resilient and adaptable mindset, demonstrating a high level of physical stamina, mental strength, and work ethic. The ability to work effectively under pressure, navigate unpredictable situations, and maintain composure in adverse weather or environmental conditions is crucial. Strong problem-solving skills, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn from hands-on experiences are essential traits for our intern’s success. Effective communication, a positive attitude, and collaboration skills are also vital for working seamlessly within our team, especially in remote/challenging field locations. The individual should be comfortable working in the field and occasionally alone in remote locations. They should obtain digital and paper map reading skills. Often our research can require the intern to drive to research sites, so a reliable car for transportation is important. Overall attention to detail and a commitment to safety protocols are desired traits so we can ensure not only the success of our fieldwork but also the well-being of everyone that makes up our team.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
Research Projects
● Help support the on-going corn earworm IPM work in the Tri-River Area and support field work involving research insecticide trials.
● Support the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) which involves conducting exotic insect and disease surveys in stone fruit orchards (cherries, peaches, apricots, plums) and wine grape vineyards through CSU Extension. Traps are checked every two weeks.
○ Data collected from the fieldwork will be entered into the Field Maps (ArcGIS app).
○ Collect data on pest populations, crop health, and environmental conditions.
○ Support research set up, evaluation, and breakdown.
○ Remote sensing and GIS skills will be introduced and developed.
● WCRC-RM organic IPM Project: Monitor insect populations within and outside exclusion nets used for codling moth control in apple trees.
This intern will get an introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
● Orientation to the principles and practices of integrated pest management.
● Overview of the specific pest challenges faced by commodity and specialty crops in Western Colorado.
● Tour and learn about the Tri-River Area with mentors and peers
● Receive training CAPS exotic insect trapping project and learn mapping tools.
● Support sweet corn research in Fruita Colorado at the WCRC-Grand Valley station and also in Olathe, Colorado (our main sweet corn growing region).
● Perform IPM studies regarding apple netting used for coddling moth control at WCRC-RM in Hotchkiss, Colorado.
● Help support the on-going corn earworm IPM work in the Tri-River Area and support field work involving research insecticide trials.
● Support the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) which involves conducting exotic insect and disease surveys in stone fruit orchards (cherries, peaches, apricots, plums) and wine grape vineyards through CSU Extension. Traps are checked every two weeks.
○ Data collected from the fieldwork will be entered into the Field Maps (ArcGIS app).
○ Collect data on pest populations, crop health, and environmental conditions.
○ Support research set up, evaluation, and breakdown.
○ Remote sensing and GIS skills will be introduced and developed.
● WCRC-RM organic IPM Project: Monitor insect populations within and outside exclusion nets used for codling moth control in apple trees.
This intern will get an introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
● Orientation to the principles and practices of integrated pest management.
● Overview of the specific pest challenges faced by commodity and specialty crops in Western Colorado.
● Tour and learn about the Tri-River Area with mentors and peers
● Receive training CAPS exotic insect trapping project and learn mapping tools.
● Support sweet corn research in Fruita Colorado at the WCRC-Grand Valley station and also in Olathe, Colorado (our main sweet corn growing region).
● Perform IPM studies regarding apple netting used for coddling moth control at WCRC-RM in Hotchkiss, Colorado.
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
The intern will live and conduct IPM work at WCRC-RM and this station overall conducts applied research to support surrounding fruit growers. The intern will help to check traps at various orchard and vineyard sites for insect monitoring surveys. The intern will work on IPM projects to control corn earworm, this will at points in time involve discussions with local sweet corn producers and Olathe Spray Service.
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
The selected intern will gain an understanding of insect biology, behavior, and identification, particularly focusing on pests relevant to western Colorado’s cash crops. The intern will learn effective methods for surveying and sampling insect populations in fruit production and row crop agriculture while acquiring skills in systematic data collection to assess pest prevalence, distribution, and potential impacts on crops. Overall, the intern will understand and apply principles of IPM, learning how to develop and implement sustainable pest control strategies that minimize environmental impact. This internship provides an opportunity for hands-on experience in fieldwork, including orchard and vineyard management practices, pesticide application, and crop monitoring. This internship would not only provide practical knowledge in entomology and crop production but also foster a holistic understanding of the interconnected factors influencing food production. These skills are valuable for those aspiring to contribute to sustainable and effective agricultural practices, especially in the context of pest surveillance, entomology, and horticultural production.
