My name is Tanya Proctor. I'm 46-yrs-old and Mom to two grown boys.
I recently joined the team at the Beaverlodge Research Farm where I am working in the Insect Pest Management (IPM) program. I am helping process wireworm pitfall samples collected as part of the AAF-SRDP 2019E13R Biodiversity Project. I am busy familiarizing myself with the families of insects within the order of Coleoptera, or the beetles. Data collected from these samples will be used to determine which species of wireworms or click beetles (Elateridae) are present and active in field crops grown in the Peace River region.
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| Figure 1. Tanya's family celebrating her youngest son's graduation. |
I've worked in horticulture since 2007, when I started out as a seasonal temporary employee helping to sort tree seedlings to specific size, and get them packaged up and ready to ship out for planting. I realized this was something I wanted to know more about so I started with the company full time, joining the grow team as the irrigation specialist. Along with many other tasks, I would walk the crops of 10-12 million tree seedlings every day to monitor the watering needs, as well as watch for pests, diseases, irregular growth patterns. In 2008, I began online horticulture classes through the University of Guelph while continuing to work full time. In 2014 I completed my Horticulture Certificate. I intend to continue these classes and finish my full diploma in Horticulture.
I am interested and excited to learn more about all insects and how they affect the crops grown in our area!