Pest Friends is a hands-on simulation that helps farmers make smarter Integrated Pest Management (IPM) decisions—by making the field a game board. Grant Loomis and Jason Thomas, Extension Educators with the University of Idaho, created Pest Friends to help players experience the real-life consequences of pest control. Players manage population dynamics, reacting to pest pressures, and decide when—and if—to intervene with pesticides, habitat modifications, or beneficial insect support. It’s not just educational—it’s a window into how people think about pest management.

Resources:

Vineyard Team Programs:

275: Pest Friends: The IPM Simulator Changing How Farmers Think

Sustainable Winegrowing

275: Pest Friends: The IPM Simulator Changing How Farmers Think