Dr. Elizabeth Long, Assistant Professor of Entomology, is presenting a talk on the “Economic Injury Level to Support Management Decisions for Asiatic Garden Beetle Larvae in Peppermint” on February 26, 2026, at the Midwest Mint Growers Conference.
The 2026 Midwest Mint Growers Conference was held on February 26 at Four Winds Casino in South Bend, Indiana, drawing approximately 48 mint producers and industry representatives from Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, along with guests from Oregon and Washington State. The event was coordinated by Meredith Cobb of Ag Research and Petrus Langenhoven, HLA Clinical Assistant Professor and HLA liaison to the Indiana Mint Market Research and Development Council.
The day opened with a grain market and weather update from Ryan Martin of Louis Dreyfus Company, followed by a diverse lineup of presentations covering research, technology, and policy. Dr. Elizabeth Long of Purdue University presented findings on economic injury thresholds for Asiatic garden beetle larvae in peppermint — research with direct implications for integrated pest management decisions in the region. Cari Peugeot, Chief Meteorologist at WSBT 22, addressed weather and seasonal forecasting, and Mark Evans from Purdue Extension provided a pesticide regulations update with PARP continuing education credits available for Indiana growers.
Afternoon sessions highlighted emerging innovations and sustainability themes. Jesi Davenport, LaPorte County Ag and Natural Resources Educator, presented on past and present applications of drone technology in agriculture, while a presentation on mint residue decomposition and soil recharging, delivered by Dr. Jennifer Moore of USDA-ARS and Carly Hartgrave of Oregon State University, connected production practices to long-term soil health. The day also featured an industry buyers report from Norwest Ingredients and a research and regulatory activities update from the Mint Industry Research Council coordinator, Steve Salisbury.
The conference concluded with the annual business meeting, where state presidents from Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin reported on regional activities, followed by a social hour sponsored by Norwest Ingredients.