What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?
As a Field Specialist in Plant Sciences with MU Extension, I work directly with farmers, landowners and campus faculty to conduct research and education in areas like forage agronomy, crop production, grazing systems and precision agriculture. A large part of my role is helping producers make informed, research-based decisions that improve both the profitability and sustainability of their operations. That can look like helping producers evaluate pasture performance, identify weeds and develop management plans for their control, assisting with forage establishment and management, grazing system design, or helping producers integrate emerging technologies such as drone-based data-collection and applications. My role in Extension is heavily oriented towards research, so I spend a considerable amount of time translating the excellent research conducted by the University into practical, boots-on-the-ground solutions that work for Missouri farmers.
How long have you worked in this position?
I have served in this role with Extension since 2024.
What is your favorite part about the work you do?
My favorite part of my job is it allows me to be useful to the farmers in my community and the state broadly. Being able to walk a pasture with a producer, talk through their goals, devise an action plan to achieve them, and then to come back later to find measurable improvement is incredibly fulfilling. I also enjoy helping bridge the gap between traditional agronomy and emerging technology. Seeing producers successfully adopt precision tools like drones or ATV-mounted forage “readers,” while still honoring proven agronomic principles is exciting.
How are you helping MU A&E Extension reach our #2xAg2030 goal?
One of the most impactful ways I’ve supported this goal has been through leading and expanding drone education across Missouri. I took a lead role in developing and delivering Missouri Drone School through MU Extension, creating a structured, research-based training program that equips producers, ag service providers and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to legally and effectively utilize drones in agriculture. By building both producer capacity and workforce development in agricultural technology, the Missouri Drone School strengthens Missouri agriculture from multiple angles, improving efficiency, increasing adoption of innovation and fostering entrepreneurship. This alignment between research, technology and real-world application is an important step as we move toward doubling agricultural impact by 2030.
What is something your CAFNR and MU Extension teammates may not know about you?
I thoroughly enjoy working on antique cars and trucks and keeping the classics on the road. I’ve never met an engine I couldn’t take apart, and only a few here and there that I couldn’t put back together…
What is your hometown, place of high school graduation, and degrees/universities?
I grew up in Searcy, Arkansas, and was blessed to be homeschooled all the way to college. I earned my B.S. in Biology from Harding University where I developed a strong foundation and appreciation for research and continued my education at Missouri State University where I earned my M.S. in Natural and Applied Science.