What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?
I am a horticulture field specialist in St. Louis and St. Charles counties. In this role, I wear many hats. I coordinate volunteers for two Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist chapters, which includes meeting with advisory and/or steering committees and coordinating volunteer training and engagement. The two counties I serve submit the largest number of soil tests in the state, meaning I also get to interpret soil tests and advise community members on how to best fertilize their garden and lawn. I also coordinate the Urban East, Heroes to Hives apiary on our sister campus, UMSL, I serve on the commercial horticulture team, offer statewide webinars, host workshops and join the state-wide garden hour. Lastly, I have a hard cider apple variety trial that was planted in 2024, so this year is the first year we will be able to gather data!
How long have you worked in this position?
2.5 years
What is your favorite part about the work you do?
Working with veterans in Heroes to Hives is my favorite part of my job. I have worked with bees and beekeepers on and off for 20 years as I find them fascinating because there is always something new to learn about them. The therapeutic benefits of the bees and the camaraderie of the Heroes to Hives group keeps me coming back. Teaching what I am interested in makes it more enjoyable.
How are you helping MU A&E Extension reach our #2xAg2030 goal?
I am helping A&E reach our #2xAg2030 goal by providing growers with the tools they need to make more money in Missouri’s climate. I also work with commercial growers, providing educational workshops including grafting workshops and tomato school.
What is something your CAFNR and MU Extension teammates may not know about you?
Something my CAFNR and MU Extension teammates may not know about me is that 15 years ago, I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi. There, I was advising a beekeepers cooperative. I taught them how to increase their revenue, complete administrative tasks and write grants and, funnily enough, taught the head of the Co-Op how to drive.
What is your hometown, place of high school graduation, and degrees/universities?
I grew up in Ballwin, Missouri. I received my bachelor’s degree in general agriculture, with emphases on rural sociology, plant science and agriculture business from the University of Missouri. I was also the first student to have a minor in sustainable agriculture. I then went on to get my Master’s of Sustainable Development Practice from the University of Florida.