Rachel Elkins started in the University of California system 36 years ago with “zero knowledge about pear production,” she says.
Soon after those early days as a typist at UC Berkeley, Elkins “dived” into the pear industry, according to a story published in the Lake County News in Clear Lake, CA. From there, she joined the UC Cooperative Extension and thrived as the Pomology Farm Advisor for Lake and Mendocino counties.
On July 1 Elkins retired after 33 years in that position.
“I am still learning every day,” Ekins says. “I am fortunate to have developed close working relationships with UC, industry, and colleagues in Oregon and Washington, as well as other states and countries where pears are grown.”
Bob McClain, the Field and Research Director with the California Pear Advisory Board, calls Elkins “invaluable to the pear industry in Mendocino and Lake counties.”
Elkins is well known for her research to control codling moth populations by interfering with the insect’s sex life instead of using insecticides.
In 1996 she and UC Riverside researcher Harry Shorey introduced the pheromone “puffer.” The phrase was derived from the devices in public restrooms that intermittently emit a fragrance. Releasing pheromones confuses male moths seeking mates. The method proved successful and ideal in large-scale management because as acreage increases the number of units needed per acre decreases. As a result, organophosphate insecticide use for codling moth control in many pear orchards has almost entirely ceased.
The Lake County News story can be read here.