October 20, 2004

Extension entomologist earns Sharvelle Award

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Cliff Sadof, a Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Extension entomology specialist, received the 2004 Eric G. Sharvelle Distinguished Extension Specialist Award.

Sadof was honored Tuesday (Oct. 19) during the annual Purdue Extension Development Conference banquet for his outreach programs dealing with invasive species and other insect pests.

David Petritz, Purdue Extension director, said, "Cliff is an outstanding leader in Extension entomology in North America. His exemplary outreach programs about invasive species have raised the public's awareness and participation in the problem."

Sadof's research on the pine shoot beetle was instrumental to developing tools that helped sustain the economic viability of the Christmas tree and nursery industry in the United States and Canada. Sadof worked with Extension personnel at Michigan State University to develop a protocol that allowed growers to ship more than $22 million worth of Christmas trees each year without spreading the beetle.

"In addition to his work with invasive species, Cliff developed and maintains Extension programs with national visibility for arboricultural industries and home gardeners," Petritz said.

The number of gardeners using alternatives to pesticides has tripled due to Sadof's workshops that focus on the trade-offs between pests and pesticides in the home.

Nursery and landscape integrated pest management programs developed by Sadof have reduced pesticide use in urban landscapes, and elements of his pest management programs have appeared in numerous publications.

"He also maintains a research program that produces a good number of scientific publications every year." Petritz said. "His research on economic injury levels and economic thresholds helps industries evaluate the economic impact of pest management decisions."

Sadof joined Purdue Extension in 1990. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Rutgers University, and a doctorate from the University of Maryland.

The Sharvelle Award is given each year in memory of Eric G. Sharvelle, a Purdue professor of botany and plant pathology from 1946 to 1975. The award was established in 1985 by Derek and Sybil Sharvelle of Battle Ground, Ind.

Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu

Source: David Petritz, (765) 494-8489, dpetritz@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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