EcoApple

Peter has a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. His work in agriculture and tree fruit production began in college while working on the weekends at an orchard in Bayfield Wisconsin. As Senior manager, Peter is our lead consultant working with apple farmers across the upper Midwest to help them implement bio-intensive IPM programs. Additionally, he manages the Sustainable Food Group’s Eco Apple and Truearth programs, which are IPM certifications for tree fruit producers in the Midwest and Northeast. Outside of the office, Peter can be found hiking, canoeing, camping and traveling with Bonnie, his Australian Sheppard.

Marnie earned a B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Since her time at Evergreen, Marnie has immersed herself in many aspects of sustainable food production and distribution from vegetable farming to managing the produce department at local grocery coop. She believes that we are what we eat- in our bodies as well as within our communities. This passion has driven much of her work for the past two decades. Marnie brings this passion to her job at the IPM Institute where she works with apple growers in the upper Midwest and Northeast region of the country, helping them grow a successful apple crop using sustainable practices. Marnie also works as a part of the Sustainable Food Group team to help food companies create and implement sustainable practices. Marnie loves to can. She preserves fruits and vegetables from her farmer friends in the peak of the season and then gifts them to her family and friends all year long. Her most coveted jams are Blueberry-Lavender-Honey and Balsamic-Strawberry-Vanilla.

Josie has an M.S. in Entomology (2023) from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology (2016) from the University of North Dakota. Prior to acquiring her M.S. in Entomology, she was part of the IPM Institute team from 2018-2020 as a Specialty Crops Project Coordinator working with apple growers in the Upper Midwest and Northeast region. During her time in graduate school, Josie learned much about applied entomology, completed research involving Colorado potato beetles, taught a course on the impact of insects across the world and through history, and volunteered time teaching kids about the importance of insects! This experience has led Josie back to the IPM Institute where she once again is working with apple growers in the Upper Midwest and will focus on helping grower groups and food industries across the country use the Pesticide Risk Tool to reduce pesticide risk on their farms. Josie is dedicated to helping growers and those in the agricultural industry to better understand and implement sustainable practices, especially as it relates to insect conservation and promoting pollinator health. Outside of work, Josie enjoys playing basketball, reading, camping and spending time with family and friends.