
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?
I am the director of the Wurdack Extension and Education Center and a field specialist in agronomy. In these roles I work directly with producers as an agronomist and use the insights gathered from them to direct programing and research at Wurdack. Much of the work I do revolves around pasture management. Day to day, this work has many different aspects, from navigating endophyte infected fescue issues and weed management to guiding farmers on native grass establishment.
How long have you worked in this position?
I have been with Extension since 2019 and have directed Wurdack since 2022.
What is your favorite part about the work you do?
My favorite part of my work is interacting with farmers and landowners and helping them re-establish native plants on their property or grazing systems. These folks generally stay in touch and it is great to hear about the first quail or other wildlife they have seen in years.
How are you helping MU A&E Extension reach our #2xAg2030 goal?
By working with farmers to help increase their knowledge of forage production issues and by providing them with best management practices that allow them to increase yields and profitability. Some of this is simply helping producers know what to stop spending money on and what weeds they should be grazing instead.
What is something your CAFNR and MU Extension teammates may not know about you?
I have visited every county in Missouri. Through college internships and my master’s research I visited 103 counties. In 2021 I made it a point to finish the last 11.
What is your hometown, place of high school graduation, and degrees/universities?
I am from Edgar Springs, Missouri and attended Rolla High School. I attended the University of Missouri for my bachelor’s degree in plant science, with an emphasis in crop management and my master’s degree in plant and microbial science, emphasizing on pasture weeds.