June 15, 2021. Cornell University Entomologist Elson Shields, Ph.D., shared this May 2021 photo of a lush alfalfa field in North Bangor (Franklin County), New York, with a note that prior to an application of biocontrol nematodes four years ago this field could grow nothing more than grass hay. It has now been restored to a substantial contribution to the farm’s cropping plan. Long-term support from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program made possible Shields’ research to develop the science needed to find a nature-based solution for managing the #1 destructive pest of alfalfa crops, alfalfa snout beetle. That solution is now working in multiple states to combat different crop and berry pests. Photo: Elson Shields
