What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?
I participate in planning, implementing and evaluating educational programs in crop and forage production, plant pathology, entomology, weed science, soil science and overall production agriculture. Educational programs consist of workshops, farm tours, field demonstrations, one-on-one consultations, and soil test report interpretation. I also am a member of the MU Certified Strip Trial Program, which aids producers in scientifically and economically evaluating farm crop production practices. I serve on the state advisory panels for Extension Master Gardener and the MU Pesticides Advisory Boards. I am also the Salt River Master Gardeners Coordinator and Mississippi Hills Master Naturalist Advisor.
How long have you worked in this position?
I am currently working on my 3rd year.
What is your favorite part about the work you do?
Number 1 is my coworkers! Number 2 is my producers I work with! I really enjoy my pesticide safety programming with the youth; they are some of the most interactive audience members I get.
How are you helping MU A&E Extension reach our #2xAg2030 goal?
I am helping producers to improve their farming operations through dispersing agronomic information to increase cost savings and revenue, thus leading to increased profitability and agricultural production value.
What is something your CAFNR and MU Extension teammates may not know about you?
Being from a military family, I have a very diverse palate due to my Dad’s world travels. My fridge has kimchi, braunschweiger, and chicken and dumplings in it currently. My favorite hobbies involve firearms and fishing rods.
What is your hometown, place of high school graduation, and degrees/universities?
I grew up most of my life in Toney, Alabama, went to high school in Salem, Missouri, and earned my B.S. in Plant Science with a minor in Ag Systems Management and my M.S. in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences at Mizzou. MIZ-ZOU!!