Victor, NY – April 13, 2026
BioWorks, a leading provider of biological crop protection and plant health solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Opela as Biological Solutions Advisor for the Southeast region. In this role, Opela will support growers and distributors by aligning biological solutions with production needs of growers and delivering technical expertise to advance integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
Opela has more than a decade of experience in horticulture and IPM program development across large-scale, multi-site operations. Most recently, she served as Senior IPM Manager at Costa Farms, where she led pest and disease management strategies across more than 250 acres of production. She also developed and implemented comprehensive IPM programs that significantly reduced input costs and crop losses, including a program at one facility that reduced costs by 65%. Additionally, she spearheaded sustainability initiatives, improving site performance ratings and advancing certification efforts.
Throughout her career, Opela has demonstrated a strong commitment to integrating biological control, applied research, and grower education. She has overseen R&D trials, supported sales teams with technical training, and collaborated with industry partners to evaluate product efficacy under real-world conditions. In addition to her operational leadership, she is an active industry contributor, serving as a speaker, workshop instructor, and co-host of the PlantRx Podcast, where she helps translate technical insights into practical solutions for growers.
“Michelle’s hands-on experience with biological control and her passion for grower education make her a tremendous asset to our team,” said Jason Miller, Director of Sales and Distributor Relations. “Her ability to connect science with real-world application will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence and support growers across the Southeast.”
Michelle can be contacted at michelle.opela@bioworksinc.com or by phone at 585.731.2475.
About BioWorks
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Victor, New York, BioWorks develops biological crop protection and plant nutrition programs that enable sustainable crop production. The company offers environmentally responsible biopesticides, integrated crop programs, and personalized technical support to growers across North America.
About BIOTROP
BIOTROP, headquartered in Brazil, is the world leader in biological and natural solutions for agriculture. Driven by innovation and a strong customer-centric culture, the company operates advanced research centers in Brazil and the United States — and multiple state-of-the-art biological production facilities. Since 2023, Biotrop has been part of the BioFirst Group.
About BioFirst Group
BioFirst Group is a global leader in biological pest and disease control, plant health, and pollination. The Group operates through two divisions: BIOTROP (which includes BIOTROP and BioWorks) and BIOBEST (which includes Biobest and Plant Products). BioFirst generates approximately €500 million in annual revenue and operates in more than 70 countries worldwide.
##
Media Contact:
Dave Spampinato
BioWorks
(800) 877-9443
dave.spampinato@bioworksinc.com
www.bioworksinc.com