Weeds and Invasive Pests
Crop Production and Protection
Office of National Programs

Email: stephen.young@usda.gov
Phone: 301-504-6252
Fax: 301-504-6191

Research

The focus of my work has been to address the why and how questions related to improving the management practices of natural and agricultural ecosystems. My primary interest is in weedy and invasive plants, but similar lines of research could be applied to challenges in the associated fields of entomology, plant pathology, soil microbiology, restoration ecology, agronomy, animal science, and human nutrition. By developing management approaches that account for the ecology and biology of systems at a range of scales, environmental and human health can be sustained over the long term along with profitability. My ultimate goal is to provide science-based information that people can use to understand how to better manage systems and think critically about the techniques and practices, which are needed to protect the land and support livelihoods both now and in the future.