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.
At the time Dr. Dan Horton received this honor, it was known as the Southern IPM Lifetime Achievement Award. The award has since been renamed the Southern IPM Hall of Fame Award and continues to recognize individuals whose careers have had a lasting impact on integrated pest management.
Dan Horton, University of Georgia
Written by Abbey Stewart
Dr. Dan L. Horton is an Entomology Professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) who joined the Entomology Department faculty in 1982. Since 1984, his primary responsibility has been the development and implementation of integrated pest management programs for fruit-crop pests.
Through his collaboration with Clemson University, Dr. Horton has provided leadership in insect pest management for South Carolina peach production, helping develop and refine effective management strategies for key pests. Dr. Horton has routinely anticipated industry trends and pest management needs, enhancing grower awareness through his IPM programs.
Throughout his career, Dr. Horton has continually taken a positive, proactive approach to his work, particularly in implementing regionalized IPM Extension programs. Dr. Horton has demonstrated exceptional determination and commitment to ensuring regional fruit insect pest management programs succeed, even before administrative avenues existed to facilitate such programming.
According to one of his colleagues at the University of Georgia, Dr. Ashfaq Sial, Dr. Horton’s career has been consistently characterized by “his complete dedication to excellence in IPM systems for fruit crops, and an unremitting commitment to fruit growers, in Georgia and throughout the southern region.”
Dr. Horton and his colleagues have worked extensively to protect the southeastern peach industry from plum pox virus by testing budwood used to propagate peach trees.
In addition, Dr. Horton conducts applied research on blueberries and peaches and develops educational programs to assist growers with routine and ongoing needs, including adapting to changing insecticide availability and managing emerging pest challenges.
One of Dr. Horton’s signature initiatives has been the development and leadership of a collaborative Extension and applied research program focused on peach insect management in Georgia and South Carolina. As principal investigator, he directs applied research trials and Extension efforts across both states, addressing critical pest challenges and providing growers with science-based management recommendations.
Dr. Horton provided key leadership in developing several major regional fruit IPM publications, as well as many pest management and culture guides for southern fruit crops. Several of his publications, originally developed for Georgia growers, have been adapted for broader regional use, most notably the Georgia Peach Grower’s Handbook.
The breadth and significance of Dr. Horton’s contributions have been recognized through numerous professional awards and distinctions. Dr. Hoton received the Carol R. Miller Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his exemplary service to the peach industry. In 2002, he received the Walter B. Hill Award for Excellence in Extension at the University of Georgia.
Through his innovative research, impactful Extension programming, and steadfast commitment to integrated pest management, Dr. Horton has made lasting contributions to the advancement of IPM throughout the southern region and is truly deserving of this award.