On March 4–5, the Gonthier Lab will host Dr. David Andow at the University of Kentucky. During his visit, Dr. Andow will present two seminars to students and faculty in the Department of Entomology:

1. Three Thoughts on the Effects of Vegetational Diversity on Arthropod Herbivores
2. Will a Notorious Invasive Ladybird Beetle Become Invasive in Brazil?

Dr. Andow’s work has significantly shaped our understanding of insect ecology and invasive species dynamics. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from his expertise and to welcome him to campus.

Learn more here:
Bio and Education - North Carolina State University
ORCID 
Research Gate

On February 3, the Crops Under Cover team will meet with the Advisory Panel to provide project updates and share recent findings. Highlights will include new statistical and economic analyses, insights from the OREI National Survey, and an overview of outreach and social media strategies.

Visit our Research Results page to explore updated data visualizations and reports from collaborators at the University of Kentucky, Cornell University, and Iowa State University.

Spring field season is right around the corner, and each Crops Under Cover lab is gearing up for another exciting year of research. Here’s a snapshot of what’s ahead:

Cornell University
Muskmelon research will continue as PhD student Kaitlin Diggins investigates how mesotunnels influence key cucurbit diseases.

Iowa State University
Master’s students Akshaya Thinakaran and Smriti Chaudhary will expand mesotunnel research in brassica systems, with a particular focus on Alternaria leaf spot.

University of Kentucky
Postdoctoral researcher Katie Pulliam will kick off the season with a bok choy and napa cabbage trial evaluating the effects of mesotunnels on flea beetle populations. PhD student Mario Reyes Castillo will also continue his work with beneficial insects in cucurbit systems. 

Follow along on our social media channels for the latest updates from the field. We’re looking forward to another season of collaboration, discovery, and growth in 2026.

Instagram: @crops_under_cover
YouTube: @CropsUnderCover

2026 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference
January 11-13, 2026 in Bowling Green, Kentucky 

Happy New Year! Crops Under Cover will attend the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Bowling Green on January 11-13. Members of UK’s Gonthier Lab including Mario Reyes Castillo and Elaine Losekamp will be at our table to chat. Stop by and kick off the new year with us.

There's still time to register!
Information and Registration 

2026 Organic Association of Kentucky Conference 
January 30-31, 2026 in Frankfort, Kentucky

Crops Under Cover is a proud sponsor of the 15th Annual OAK Conference in Frankfort, Kentucky. On January 30-31, 2026, Dr. Dave Gonthier, Dr. Katie Pulliam, Mario Reyes Castillo, Elaine Losekamp, and Sarah Clark will be set up at our booth to talk all things row covers! See you there. 

There's still time to register!
Information and Registration