Larry Olsen honored with Department retirement celebration
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EmailThe Entomology Department honored and, at his request, “roasted” Larry Olsen on April 28, 2016, at the Kellogg Center.
The Entomology Department honored and, at his request, “roasted” Larry Olsen on April 28, 2016, at the Kellogg Center. Olsen worked as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Pesticide Safety coordinator for the Department of Entomology, an associate Extension director for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and co-director of the North Central Regional IPM Center. The standing-room only crowd included many from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and other state agencies where Olsen built successful networks to address IPM concerns. View images from the celebration.
Olsen’s future plans include continuing his development project in the central highlands of Peru where people live a subsistence life depending on potato production. His work with collaborators has demonstrated newer, improved varieties of potatoes that increase yield and have social acceptance. The objective is to establish demonstration plots throughout the high plains where local farmers can view the growth characteristics of the new varieties, which require fewer pesticides and increase profit through higher yields. The ultimate goal is to raise the standard of living of the community.
A couple of additional projects will continue. Olsen is hiking the Appalachian Trail piece by piece over several years, and will travel to more national parks with his wife, Bev.
