Integrated pest management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to managing insect, pathogen, and weed pests through a coordinated decision-making/action-taking process. An IPM plan includes all appropriate forms of pest control including genetic, biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods. The goal of IPM is mitigate pest damage while protecting human health, environmental quality, and economic viability.

The MU IPM program is partially funded by a federal grant. It is multidisciplinary and involves a large team of scientists and extension specialists. Objectives include:

• Educate farmers, homeowners and their advisors about the purpose, foundation and implementation of Integrated Pest Management.
• Disseminate information about effective and environmentally sound plant pest management practices to farmers, homeowners and their advisors.
• Identify, monitor and evaluate existing and potential plant pests.
• Demonstrate IPM principles at the local level.