
Teresa Rusinek
Vegetable SpecialistHudson Valley Laboratory
3357 Route 9W
Highland, NY 12528
phone 845-691-7117
cell 845-389-3562
email Teresa
Areas of Interest
Pest ID, Pest Control Recommendations, Biocontrols, Greenhouse Vegetables and Ornamentals
CropsSquash - Summer, Squash- Winter, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes
Teresa has a strong background working with a variety of farms, including vegetable, Christmas tree, fruit, sod and greenhouses. Her undergraduate degree is from SUNY New Paltz, and her master's degree is in Environmental Policy from Bard College. Teresa currently focuses her extension efforts on vegetable production, including integrated pest management, horticulture, biocontrols and greenhouse management. She is also actively involved with multiple applied research projects, mainly in pest management.

Upcoming Events
Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
April 14, 2026 : Session 1: Becoming a Supervisor
The transition from working alongside employees to supervising them can be challenging. This session explores the shift from individual contributor to supervisor and the mindset and skills needed to lead a team effectively. Participants will learn about the role of a supervisor, key leadership behaviors, and how to build trust and credibility with employees.
April 21, 2026 : Session 2: Improving Performance
This session will introduce the performance triad—clear expectations, training, and feedback—to support employee success. We will discuss practical communication strategies, how to give constructive feedback, and how supervisors can help employees improve their performance over time.
April 28, 2026 : Session 3: Managing Conflict
Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a professional and respectful workplace. This session covers some of the legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors and the responsibilities managers have in addressing workplace concerns.
Participants will also explore common sources of workplace conflict, learn to recognize potential biases that can influence management decisions, and discuss practical approaches for addressing difficult situations and resolving conflicts at work.
