Jim Schuster provides leadership in the Pesticide Safety Education Program - Plant Pathology and in ornamental horticulture plant pathology.

Schuster has a B.S. in ornamental horticulture and a M.S. in woody plant pathology from the University of Illinois. He has taken additional classes in horticulture therapy and aquaculture. Before joining Extension, he worked for many years in the landscape industry, ran his own business, and worked as a technical adviser for a Cook County landscape contractor.

Jim began his career with Extension as a summer assistant in Will County. He then worked for two years in Cook County as the Extension horticulture adviser and, from April 1973 to October 1991, Jim was the horticulture adviser for DuPage County. From October 1991 to September 30, 2007, he was the Extension horticulture educator located at the Countryside Extension Center. Since October 1, 2007 Jim has been the Extension Specialist, Pesticide Safety Education - Plant Pathology in the Crop Sciences Department.

Schuster has received more than 20 state and regional awards, and several national awards in recognition of his efforts. These awards include two Cooperative Extension Service Awards for Innovative Programs, two national awards sponsored by Lesco for horticulture therapy, an Achievement Award and a Distinguished Service Award sponsored by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, as well as their Search for Excellence recognition.

Program Offerings

Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)

Jim Schuster works with the other members of the Pesticide Safety Education team to provide pesticide safety education training to the commercial industry, and farmers who need to get a pesticide license. In addition, Jim helps provide workers protection training for farms and related businesses upon request.

Commercial Horticulture

Schuster's major program thrusts are pesticide safety education programs. He also teaches plant pathology seminars sponsored by various commercial associations and offers on site visitations.

Home Horticulture

Schuster works with homeowners, gardeners, and plant care-givers through office visits, on-site visits, e-mails and phone calls. He gives plant pathology (disease) lectures and related gardening programs for gardening groups as well as for schools.

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