| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Ron Zellar |
| July 21, 2008 | (406) 444-3144 |
EDITORS'NOTE: Two photos to accompany this or the related article can be downloaded at http://agr.mt.gov/news/jamie_trap1.jpg or http://agr.mt.gov/news/jamie_trap2.jpg. Caption: Intern Jamie Hollett installs scented lures in a trap designed to collect exotic wood boring insects.
Battling Bugs for State is a Breeze for Iraq Vet
HELENA, Mont. -- Jamie Hollett is used to living a little outside her comfort zone. Recent experiences of the animal science junior at Montana State University include a one-year tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Iraq and nine months work with a military contractor in Afghanistan.
Comparatively speaking, traversing the state of Montana to place and monitor insect traps for the Montana Department of Agriculture is a breeze, said Hollett, who grew up in an agricultural area on Maryland's eastern shore.
"Photography is my hobby and I love taking pictures as I travel across the state. The different cultures and communities are interesting too, from the ranches to Indian reservations," she said.
Hollett is one of 10 summer interns working for the Montana Department of Agriculture on a variety of jobs including pest surveys, weed control efforts, pesticide monitoring and market development. Crop-destroying insects are not directly related to her intended vocation as a veterinarian, Hollett said, but animals do need to eat and insects are a definite part of the farm and ranch environment.
April Wabeke, a second-year intern also in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey program, said she doesn't really like insects. But the biology major, a senior at MSU-Northern in Havre, does like the idea of protecting the environment through the use of biological controls. The main thrust of her internship involves monitoring populations of a parasite that helps control the cereal leaf beetle, a pest of wheat, barley and oats.
Leaf beetles have been harder to find this summer, which is a good thing, Wabeke said. The cold spring might have disrupted the insect's life cycle this year. She said her father works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Sweetgrass border station, and she may follow in his footsteps by seeking a career in biological sciences with a state or federal agency.
Jaclyn Mahr and Kevin Grzebielski, two interns working in weed programs, also learn about biological controls when they assist with the collection and distribution of beneficial insects that feed on Dalmation toadflax and spotted knapweed, two of the state's most economically damaging weeds. Mahr, a sophomore at University of Montana, promotes certified weed-seed free forage. Grzebielski, a Helena resident and junior at MSU, is in his third year as a department intern. This summer, he is monitoring weed problems at fishing access sites in a joint program with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Other interns at the department's Agricultural Sciences Division are University of Montana students Kelsey Redmond, who monitors wood boring insects, and Karin Millhouse, who educates retailers and homeowners about the safe use of lawn and garden products. Adam Burch, a student UM Helena College of Technology, also works in the pesticide education program. Shane Delzer, another intern in the insect pest survey program, is a recent Capital High School graduate who plans to attend MSU in the fall.
Two interns are assisting with international trade and agricultural marketing in the department's Agricultural Development Division. Danielle Allen is a senior at Carroll College in Helena studying Communications & Public Relations. Whitney Wankel is a senior at MSU seeking a degree in Agricultural Education-Extension.
For more information on summer internship opportunities at the department, contact Denise Gjerde at the department at (406) 444-3144 or by email at agr@mt.gov
