As a part of the third largest wine producing state in the nation, New York grape growers work nearly 35,000 acres, producing 128,000 tons of juice grapes, 57,000 tons of wine grapes, and 2,000 tons of table grapes each year. In the new role, Vargas will grow and sustain the state’s booming grape industry by working collaboratively, across disciplines, and with a variety of stakeholders to develop, demonstrate and guide IPM implementation efforts.
“The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program has long offered research, extension, outreach, and practical guidance to the grape industry, and we are tremendously grateful to state officials for supporting a position dedicated to serving wine growers and producers statewide,” Calixto said. “We are tremendously excited to welcome Germán to the NYSIPM team and know he will be an incredible asset to our team and the Empire State grape industry.
A native of Colombia, Vargas is an award-winning entomologist with over 40 publications including peer-reviewed and extension. He has a Ph.D. from Kansas State University and most recently served as a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center, where he worked to develop a comprehensive, integrated pest management plan for the hibiscus bud weevil.
Vargas’ position will be based out of the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory in Portland, NY beginning June 20, 2023.
