LOUIS RUUD

Louis pioneered the multi-disciplinary approach to farm consulting. In addition to pest management, his service eventually included soils, plant nutrition, and irrigation scheduling. Louis strived to grow the profession by taking advantage of new technology. He used plant growth analysis of boll and flower counts to estimate cotton yields. Aerial infrared photography served him as a diagnostic tool for soil and irrigation advice. Louis believed in a holistic approach to plant health and pest management.

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In the early 1960s, Louis and John Nickelsen were driving to Riverside every January to talk about integrated pest management with Everett Dietrick and Jack Blehm, who had set up their first insectary. Louis and John were among their best customers for beneficial insects. In 1966-67 Louis began pushing for an IPM organization. He adapted some bylaws taken from the San Joaquin Valley Entomology Association and proposed the name Association of Applied Insect Ecologists. Louis came up with the concept of “applied entomology” in conversations with Ken Hagen, to distinguish his profession from “academic entomology”. AAIE was incorporated in November 1967, with Louis Ruud as President and Jim Gorden as Secretary.

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JIM GORDEN

Gorden graduated from Fresno State, then taught for three years at Fowler Junior High before moving to Exeter to work for Rincon Vitova insectary. In 1968, Jim Gorden formed a partnership with Jim Stewart, continuing the IPM work started at Rincon Vitova insectary. Pest Management Associates developed its whole business philosophy using and developing IPM strategies for their clients. Many of their clients have been with them for more than 25 years and represent a diverse set of growers from the very small five-acre family orchard to large corporate farms. Gorden has had close working relationships with some of the pioneers in the development of IPM such as Dr. Van der Bosh, Dr. Huffaker, and Dr. Smith. He is a founding member of the Association of Applied insect Ecologists.