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

As a Field Specialist in Horticulture in the southwest region, I serve both home gardeners and commercial producers by offering education on a wide range of topics. A few of my favorites include small fruit production, integrated pest management, beekeeping and vegetable gardening. My main priority is to support producers in improving productivity, profitability and sustainability in their operations; this often involves providing recommendations on soil test results, identifying and addressing pests and environmental issues, offering practical programming on timely topics and providing one-on-one consultation in the field.

How long have you worked in this position?

About a year and a half. I began my job as a Field Specialist in January of 2025.

What is your favorite part about the work you do?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is the privilege of providing practical education in a field that I’m passionate about. I enjoy delivering resources and information to clients in a form that can be directly implemented on the farm. Education is important, but it is nearly useless without application. It brings me great fulfillment to follow up with producers and learn how they have successfully applied resources to improve their operation.

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

I’m advancing reach and impact by prioritizing strong connections with clients in my region through direct consultation and a number of educational programs. One example of a program that offers great local impact is Heroes to Hives, which seeks to address financial and personal wellness of veterans through free professional beekeeping education. I look forward to meeting with H2H veterans each month at the MU Southwest Research, Extension, and Education Center for hands-on training in the bee yard. I also enjoy contributing to programs with impact beyond the region. My involvement with efforts like the Advancing American Elderberry project has allowed me to provide education to producers at the local, state, national and international level.

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

I’m a big fan of classic country and bluegrass music. Keith Whitley and The Stanley Brothers are a couple of my current favorites. I play guitar and fiddle, and I sing lead in a county band called Dacomo (Dade County Missouri). My country music claim to fame… I saw Merle Haggard in concert in 2014.

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

I was raised in Dadeville, MO and graduated from Dadeville High School in 2019. I completed my B.S. in environmental plant science and minor in animal science from Missouri State University in 2022. I graduated from the University of Missouri with an M.S. in plant, insect, and microbial sciences in December of 2024. My graduate research focused on weed management options in American elderberry production, and I still receive calls from producers regarding this research. It is a privilege to now address those questions professionally in my role as a field specialist.