Josh Thompson is the new UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Service’s integrated pest management (IPM) agent. This discipline involves the identification, prevention and treatment of crop pests such as weeds, insects and diseases.

Thompson’s focus will be on peanut, cotton, corn and other row crops. He will also provide training and education for those desiring to obtain pesticide applicator licenses.

Thompson is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He attended the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Agronomy, focusing on peanut and cotton water use in reduced tillage systems.

During this time, he married Sara Gooding, a middle school history teacher in Gainesville, Florida. He and Sara now live in Marianna.

Thompson is a welcome addition to the team of agents serving Jackson County. County Extension Director Doug Mayo said “We are excited to have Josh onboard. Having an agent who focuses on our major crops will be a real asset to farmers in the region.”

Mayo serves the livestock and hay producers, and Rob Trawick horticultural crops. In addition to agriculture, Ben Knowles leads the 4-H Program, and Mandy Griffin leads the family and consumer science program.

The Extension Service is a partnership between the University of Florida and the Board of County Commissioners. All 67 Florida counties are served by the UF/IFAS Extension Service.

If you have questions about crop pest management or are in need of other crop production information, Thompson can be contacted at the Extension Office, 2741 Pennsylvania Ave, Marianna, or by phone at 850-482-9620, or on the web at http://jackson.ifas.ufl.edu.

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