Ashley Leach joined the Department of Entomology at Ohio State University in January 2022. Prior to her position at OSU, she was a postdoctoral research associate at Purdue University, where she worked with watermelon growers to implement integrated pest management approaches. Ashley is a Midwesterner at heart, born and raised in Northwest Michigan. Her passion for agriculture grew out of her experiences as an agricultural scout and consultant for tree fruit growers in Michigan. She received her PhD at Cornell University where she studied pest management in vegetable cropping systems. She is excited to continue to work in the Midwest and develop insect pest management for OH growers.
As the state extension specialist for specialty crop entomology, Ashley’s goal is to build effective, long-lasting, and environmentally sound pest management practices for fruit and vegetable growers across the state and beyond. She is currently evaluating different pest management tactics in crops like pumpkins, peppers, apples, peaches, and leafy greens. She partners with OSU Extension, members of the OSU entomology department and other neighboring universities to create innovative pest management solutions. Overall, she hopes to create programs that give growers the biggest bang for their buck. In other words, pest programs that provide high levels of pest control, disease suppression, pollination, and biological control without compromising yield.
Ashley enjoys taking hikes and exploring OH’s awesome agrotourism and natural beauty with her two boys and husband. She is excited to continue to build collaborations with state specialists, extension educators and growers. She looks forward to meeting new collaborators and stakeholders. Please reach out and contact her at leach@osu.edu. You can also visit the lab website or stop by her office at 254 Wooster Science Building.
