Matt Godek Email & Phone Number

Bridgeton, New Jersey, United States

Functioning as a plant pathologist and division manager, I am focused on the overall health of all plants grown at multiple farms throughout Southern New Jersey. Our wholesale plant farms produce over 2 million plants each year, including a wide variety of garden perennials, flowering and fruiting trees, woody ornamental shrubs, and a variety of evergreens. I am responsible for the guidance and instruction of multiple crews of pesticide and herbicide workers. The Crop Protection Department is also tasked with assisting in fertilizer applications throughout late winter and early spring and calibrating potting machines for the creation of soilless media, working synergistically with other departments to help produce successful plants for wholesale. Some of my important duties include scouting for pests and diseases, diagnosing crop ailments, applying pesticides when necessary, and advising other departments on improved cultural IPM practices that can help prevent common plant health care issues.As a plant pathologist my day consists of responding to plant related problems found by scouts or nursery workers, inspecting plants and taking samples, identifying common fungal diseases and insect damage, arriving at reasonable conclusions based on symptomology and spore morphology, and managing the application of controlled chemicals.Once a determination has been made, the IPM Division Manager implements a spray program and advises on proper IPM practices that may alleviate similar issues in the future.

West Grove, Pennsylvania, United States

Head Integrated Pest Management Specialist at Tree Huggerz Inc focusing on the control of invasive species in natural habitats for both commercial and residential clients. My specialties at this position were woody ornamentals and trees. Tasked with the creation of the IPM division from scratch, as well as conducting all foliar and trunk sprays, trunk and soil injections, and soil drenches for the control of difficult pest species. These include Emerald Ash Borer, Spotted Lanternfly, Ambrosia Beetle, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Boxwood Spider Mite, Boxwood Leafminer, Bagworm, Japanese Beetle, Peach Tree Borer, and many fungal diseases such as Dowgood Anthracnose, Volutella Blight, Needlecast, and Powdery Mildew. Other tasks included property visits for diagnosis, creation of contractual estimates, invoicing after completion of work, and extensive record keeping.

Newark, Delaware

Fisheries biologist who worked for refineries to estimate the efficiency of technologies used to reduce environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems. Often working with survivorship studies and screen efficiency studies.

Kennett Square, Pa

Specialization in floriculture and healthcare of local, exotic, and other kinds of plants through monitoring pest numbers and beneficial insect release.