US (NY): Cornell agricultural advocate earns Excellence in IPM award

As a member of Cornell’s Government Affairs office, Lee Telega knocked on thousands of doors — of lawmakers, agency officials, and stakeholder groups — to spread the word about the benefits of IPM. For this and more, Telega has received an Excellence in IPM award.

“Lee wasn’t just our guide in Albany,” says former NYSIPM Director Don Rutz. “He was perceptive, intuitive, and gifted with getting IPM’s message across quickly with no loss in clarity.”

Telega did more than schedule appointments and shake hands. A born networker, he went floor to floor, door to door in Albany’s Legislative Office Building, says Jennifer Grant, director of NYS IPM, who accompanied him on some of those jaunts. “Did you know the toll that ticks and Lyme disease are taking on your constituents — and what IPM is doing about it?” “School IPM is critical for providing healthy places for children to learn.” “Senator, I understand you like to play golf. So you might be interested in IPM’s groundbreaking research at Bethpage.” “Did you know the organic sector in your district is booming and how IPM helps?”

Read more at Cornell Blog Service