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Jeannette
Warnert INSECT ENTHUSIAST IS NEW ENTOMOLOGY ADVISOR FOR UCCE IN KERN COUNTY BAKERSFIELD - A native of Salinas, Calif., David Haviland turned his lifelong interest in insects into a career as the new entomology farm advisor for UC Cooperative Extension in Kern County. "I was one of those people who, even as a small child, was fascinated with insects," Haviland said. "I always had a freezer full of insect vials everywhere I lived." That included a two-year mission trip in Argentina, where Haviland did volunteer work and finalized his mastery of the Spanish language. Haviland later taught Spanish to college-age students preparing for volunteer service in Spanish-speaking countries. Haviland focused on entomology at Brigham Young University while earning a bachelor's degree in zoology. Back in Monterey County, Haviland was employed by UCCE to serve as an agriculture aide to the county's five farm advisors. In that position, Haviland decided to pursue a career in UC Cooperative Extension. "While in Monterey County, I had a chance to see how my interest in entomology and background in agriculture could be combined," Haviland said. "I could see that a farm advisor job was perfect for what I enjoy doing and what I'm good at." Haviland completed a master's degree at UC Davis in plant protection and pest management in spring 2002. He joined the Kern County academic staff on July 1, 2002. "I'm looking forward to working jointly with Kern County's excellent staff of commodity-based farm advisors and taking advantage of their expertise to solve as many insect problems as we can," he said. Haviland plans to meet with local farmers and pest control advisers to determine the most pressing insect issues. Managing insects that have recently been introduced into Kern County, such as the glassy-winged sharpshooter, will be high on his agenda, he says. Haviland expects to work collaboratively with other Kern County UCCE farm advisors and campus-based researchers, as well as scientists with the county agricultural commissioner's office, United States Department of Agriculture and California Department of Food and Agriculture. Like other UC advisors, Haviland will conduct research to assist farmers in shifting to environmentally friendly approaches to insect management. "My goal is to work on integrating insect control strategies - biological, cultural and chemical - to keep farmers and consumers safe and to do so in a manner that will keep growers in business," he said. Haviland has settled with his wife and two young children in Bakersfield. His office is at the UCCE office, 1031 South Mount Vernon Ave., in Bakersfield. He can be reached at (661) 868-6215, dhaviland@ucdavis.edu. ###
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