Dr. John Palumbo’s contributions shaped our vegetable IPM program and supported countless growers and PCAs across the region. While no one can truly take John’s place, we want to reassure you that we remain committed to continuing the vital work he championed. With care and respect for the foundation he built, we are working to carry his efforts forward.
A dedicated team is in place to ensure that the needs of growers and industry partners are met for the quickly approaching 2025–26 growing season. While a permanent replacement will be hired through a formal search and selection process, the team remains fully committed and ready to maintain John’s high priority projects in the meantime.
Moving forward, members of the John Palumbo transition team will be present at future Extension and industry meetings to share trial results, program updates, and to ensure ongoing support for stakeholders. The Vegetable IPM Newsletter will remain a key outlet for sharing trial results and updates on ongoing research, as well as providing the biweekly insect trapping network results that so many rely on for timely, informed decisions. John’s information will continue to hold the top spot in the newsletter, in recognition of his leadership and as a way to keep his work front and center for our community. We also want to share that the Name the Pest competition will continue, and John’s beloved (and often legendary) hats will still be awarded as prizes. Though John’s presence can never be replaced, we can carry his spirit forward by advancing his research, keeping his traditions alive, and continuing to serve our vegetable IPM community with the same dedication he inspired in all of us.
John built this program to serve you — the growers, PCAs, and industry partners who shape and sustain it. Your letters and statements supporting a timely search and strong candidate recruitment will help keep it strong and aligned with your needs. Thank you for your dedication, your voice, and for honoring John’s legacy by continuing to move forward together.
