What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? 

I’m a field specialist in livestock with University of Missouri Extension, headquartered in Atchison County in the northwest corner of the state, in Rock Port, covering five counties in the northwest and urban west regions.

How long have you worked in this position?

I’ve been in this role for over 26 years. It’s gone by so fast!

What is your favorite part about the work you do?

It’s hard to pick one thing. It’s a privilege to work for and represent the University of Missouri. There is so much good work being done at MU every day, and for almost 200 years! Our folks in Animal Sciences are doing great things for the livestock industry. I love the ideals of the land-grant institution, with its history of making higher education more accessible, and where we in extension help to bring unbiased, research-based information, resources, and services to people all across the state to improve their lives. Every day I get to help livestock producers solve problems, explore opportunities, and learn something new. I can be creative in how I design my educational programs to make the learning experience top-notch and impactful for participants. I love connecting with new program partners to expand our reach. What we do is such a positive addition to our local communities. Like I said, it’s hard to pick one thing!

How are you helping MU A&E Extension advance its reach and impact?

My territory is a long way from campus. People here can feel less connected to MU because of the distance. My role is to make sure that even in Rock Port, or Maryville, or Platte City, producers have opportunities to attend programs or access resources and services of benefit to their operations. I also work really hard to make new connections to expand the reach of my programs. For example, at my Three-State Beef Conference earlier this year, a local university sent its entire advanced livestock production class to the program, and several other students registered and attended on their own. I also had a good number of younger producers in attendance. One attendee commented on their evaluation that it was so good to see so many young and new producers at the meeting. I’m also part of several ag youth-focused programs, from our county fair’s livestock shows to ag safety events, so I’m connecting with hundreds and hundreds of youth each year on animal science and ag safety topics. Those are good opportunities for people to see that MU Extension’s Ag and Environment Extension program is committed to and actively involved in ag education in our counties.

What is something your CAFNR and MU Extension teammates may not know about you?

I started my education in a one-room schoolhouse! There’s a rich history of one-room schools in rural Nebraska, and there was one still in operation just down the gravel road from where I grew up, so I went to school there in kindergarten and first grade. It closed after my first-grade year. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience such a unique educational setting, steeped in history and with rural and agricultural roots.

What is your hometown, place of high school graduation, and degrees/universities?

I’m from near Dannebrog, Nebraska (the Danish capital of Nebraska!) and graduated from Centura Public Schools near Cairo, Nebraska. I’m 100% a land-grant institution product! I earned a BS in Animal Science (beef cow-calf specialization) from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and a MS in Animal and Veterinary Science (ruminant nutrition) from the University of Wyoming in Laramie.