Chemical Trespassing Panel
The Chemical Trespassing Panel at the Wine and Grape Summit will offer insights into chemical interactions in viticulture. Featuring Brad Beaver, Bob Walters, and Megan Troesser, the panel covers vital topics. Together they will discuss chemical impacts on vineyard ecosystems, chemical drift effects on nearby crops, and legal aspects and responsibilities. This session is crucial for those interested in agriculture, environment, and policy, providing valuable perspectives on preserving wine regions.
- Tuesday February 24
- 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
- Crush Room
- Viticulture Session
PRESENTERS
Megan Troesser
Enforcement Program Coordinator, Pesticide Program | Missouri Department of Agriculture
Bob Walters
CEO | FieldWatch
Brad Beaver
Bureau Chief, Environmental Programs | Illinois Department of Agriculture
BIO
Megan Troesser’s passion for horticulture began at Missouri State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture. She initially honed her skills on a flower farm, gaining hands-on experience in plant cultivation. Her career then flourished over a decade as a landscaper and pesticide applicator, during which she developed expertise in sustainable practices and plant health. For the past 3.5 years, Megan has been integral to the Pesticide Program at the Missouri Department of Agriculture, contributing to safe pesticide use policies. Beyond her professional endeavors, she finds joy in contributing to her great uncle’s hobby vineyard, blending her horticultural knowledge with a love for nature. Megan’s journey highlights her unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship and the beauty of the natural world.
BIO
Bob is the President and CEO for FieldWatch. He joined FieldWatch as the first employee in 2014 when FieldWatch was formed as a non-profit entity by Purdue University. Bob served as the Director of Business Development until being appointed to his current position in 2020. During Bob’s tenure, FieldWatch grown to 31 states and provinces. 61,000 users, 70,000 mapped sites, and 1.9M mapped acres. FieldWatch has experienced double-digit growth in the past five years and expects the trend to continue.
BIO
Brad Beaver has spent 33 years with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, all within the Bureau of Environmental Programs. Beginning his career as a summer intern, he now serves as Bureau Chief, a role he has held for the past four years. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Illinois State University. He was raised on a small grain and livestock farm in Lincoln, Illinois, where his family raised Chester White show pigs—an experience that shaped his lifelong connection to agriculture. During his tenure at the Department, Brad has overseen the Livestock Management Facilities Program, including the siting and construction of large-scale livestock operations, and has managed statewide pesticide programs addressing pesticide storage, use, and misuse.