Friends of IPM Awards
The mission of the Southern IPM Center is to champion the development and adoption of integrated pest management (IPM), the science of managing pests while protecting people, the environment and economy. Each Regional Center engages broadly with stakeholders to identify and address regional pest priorities in agriculture, communities and natural areas.
Since 2003, the Southern IPM Center (SIPMC) has worked with USDA, Land Grant universities, Extension, and many other partners in promoting and facilitating the development and implementation of IPM in many settings across the region.
Many of these partners have contributed to the region’s well-being for years or even decades.
Hall of Fame
The Southern IPM Hall of Fame award recognizes individuals who have contributed to any important aspect of Southern IPM over many years with documented history of career achievements in IPM.
Along with authorship of educational materials, research papers, manuals, books, and presentations of IPM material, Hall of Fame award candidates have greatly impacted IPM in the Southern region over the lifetime of their career.
Phillip M. Brannen, University of Georgia
Written by Kayla Watson
Phil Brannen is a Professor in the Plant Pathology Department at the University of Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia for his undergraduate degree in Plant Protection and Pest Management, where he also received an M.S. in Plant Pathology, followed by a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Auburn University.
Brannen has extensive experience with disease management programs in numerous cropping systems and serves as the extension fruit pathologist for Georgia – conducting research and technology transfer for multiple fruit commodities. His efforts are directed towards developing IPM practices to solve disease issues and technology transfer of disease-management methods to commercial fruit producers. In addition, he teaches graduate level courses, coordinates a course in Cortona, Italy, and guest lectures.
Most recently, his research and extension efforts to study fungicide resistance development in fungal and oomycete pathogen populations impacting grape have been nationally and internationally recognized. The same can also be said of his efforts to revitalize research on phony peach disease caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, and Georgia is once again recognized as having the world experts on this disease.
Brannen’s work has focused on developing IPM practices for commercial fruit growers, and his work has made a direct impact on peach and blueberry production in Georgia and the South through the development of IPM recommendations for new and established pathogens on these crops. He has initiated and led the Southeast Regional Integrated Management Guides, and has been active in the development of the MyIPM app.
Over the course of his career, Brannen has significantly contributed to the education and training of both students and growers alike through his role as an instructor and Extension Specialist. He has conducted well over 200 trainings and presented his work nationally and internationally with over 280 presentations. Brannen’s career has certainly impacted IPM practices both locally and regionally.
Read more about Phil and his Hall of Fame award in this UGA IPM article talking about his work, motivations, and future.
