What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources?

I am a senior research and lab technician at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center (HARC) in New Franklin. My title does not convey the full scope of my duties, though. I help with various research projects taking place at HARC. I am also the HR and fiscal officer for the Research Center. I assist HARC’s co-superintendents, Barry Eschenbrenner and Sarah Lovell, planning meetings, tours and field days, as well as HARC and the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry’s annual Missouri Chestnut Roast Festival. Due to COVID-19, this year I’ve been working on video content for our Virtual Chestnut Roast which will be presented on October 3, 2020.

How long have you worked in CAFNR?

I started working for CAFNR in March of 2017.

What do you enjoy about working for CAFNR/Mizzou?

I graduated from CAFNR with a degree in plant science so it felt like coming full circle when I started working at HARC. My job affords me wonderful opportunities from learning about new research findings to the diverse agroforestry practices, as well as interacting with students and the public. I love getting to know students from all over the world. I remember visiting the apple orchards at HARC as a student and I hope to instill a similar appreciation for HARC and CAFNR in students.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I have a very large and diverse list of hobbies which include: baking, cooking, roasting my own coffee, oil painting, singing, crocheting, camping, canoeing, biking, writing, photography and I hope to start making tree syrup this coming year. But what I enjoy doing the most with my free time is spending it with my husband.

What is something your co-workers/other CAFNR employees don’t know about you?

I wrote a novel and self-published. It is supposed to be a 3-part series, but I haven’t had the time to put down into words the rest of the story.