2017 SPEAKERS
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Arthur, Dakota
[email protected] 12819 Country Place Drive St. Joseph, MO 64505 816-676-7000 Dakota Arthur grew up on a farm raising beef cattle and Quarter and Appaloosa horses in southwest Missouri where she quickly gained a passion for agriculture. She was highly involved in her local 4-H club and FFA chapter. Dakota graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s in both Animal Science and Agricultural Business and a Master’s in Plant Science. She began her career with USDA as a Pathways Livestock and Grain Market News Reporter in January 2016 in Little Rock, Arkansas. In July 2016 she was transferred to St. Joseph, Missouri were she continues market news reporter duties. * Baker, Tim [email protected] 660-663-3232 Barden, Charles [email protected] KSU Horticulture & Natural Resources Dept Manhattan, KS 66506 785-532-1444 Dr. Charles Barden has worked for K-State Research and Extension since 1998. He grew up in Rhode Island, working in his grandfather’s apple orchard, which is run today by his brother. He currently oversees the K-State Master Gardener vegetable trial program. He earned his Ph.D. from Penn State, his Master’s degree from Virginia Tech, and his B.S. degree from the University of Rhode Island. * Bates, Marlin [email protected] 2110 Harper Lawrence, Kansas 66046 785 - 843 - 7058 Marlin Bates has been working to build local food systems in the Midwest since 2008. He serves as the Horticulture Agent with K-State Research and Extension in Douglas County. In his work, Marlin focuses on increasing the local food supply by working with new and existing producers of specialty crops. He serves on the organizing committee for Growing Growers, a regional farmer training program and is the current chair of the Douglas County Food Policy Council. Marlin develops relevant programming for small farmers and offers a variety of workshops annually. He received his Bachelor of Science in greenhouse management and Master of Science in vegetable production from Kansas State University. Batziakas, Kostas [email protected] 22201 W Innovation Dr Olathe, KS 66061 Kostas Batziakas is a horticulture PhD student with emphasis in Postharvest Physiology of fresh produce in Kansas State University, Olathe Campus. Batziakas obtained his M.S. in Greenhouse Horticulture from Wageningen University, The Netherlands specializing in Postharvest biology and physiology of Horticultural production and his B.S in Agronomy from Aristotle University Thessaloniki. His research interests are focusing in utilizing modified atmosphere packaging for extending the shelf-life and maintaining the quality of fresh produce. Beaudry, Randolph [email protected] Dept. of Horticulture, MSU East Lansing, MI 48824 517-353-0303 www.hrt.msu.edu Randy Beaudry was born in Toledo Ohio in 1958. He attended the University of Toledo, transferred to The Ohio State university and graduated with a BS in Horticulture in 1981. He went on to the University of Georgia for his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, finishing there in 1989. Dr. Beaudry started at Michigan State in his current position (50% research, 50% Extension) as a postharvest physiologist in the spring of 1989. He was promoted to associate professor in 1995 and professor in 2001. His research activities focus on preserving the postharvest quality of fruits and vegetables. Specific areas of expertise include modified atmosphere packaging, controlled-atmosphere storage, non-destructive quality assessment, apple postharvest disorder physiology, the molecular and biochemical control of aroma biosynthesis, and use of volatiles to inhibit decay. Much of Dr. Beaudry's research service-oriented as he works closely with the apple and sugarbeet industries. Current emphasis for the Great Lakes apple fruit industry is placed on the development of successful air and controlled atmosphere storage protocols for the variety “Honeycrisp”. Brokesh, Ed [email protected] BAE Dept/KS State University 129 Seaton Hall Manhattan, KS 66503 785-532-2907 Ed Brokesh is Extension Specialist and Instructor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering department at Kansas State University with teaching and extension responsibilities. His extension education program is in the areas of energy, bioenergy, and machinery systems. Mr. Brokesh teaches courses in off road machinery systems and engineering design. Mr. Brokesh is currently pursuing a PhD in Engineering. His research is focused on the costs associated with the harvest of biomass for energy. He is currently analyzing data from a DOE High-Tonnage Logistics Project utilizing the Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) model. Mr. Brokesh joined the K-State BAE department in 2008 following a 24 year career as a design engineer and manager within the livestock equipment, grain handling equipment and ATV industries. Mr. Brokesh holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering and an M.B.A from Kansas State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Kansas. * Browning, Sarah [email protected] 444 Cherrycreek Road, Ste A Lincoln, NE 68528 402-441-6747 As an Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska- Lincoln for 18 years, Sarah's programming has focused on environmental horticulture, fruit & vegetable production and food safety. Working with the general public and commercial green industry professionals, her major program goals include conserving water, protecting water quality, promoting local food production and protecting human health. Buller, Tom [email protected] 1577 N 1550 Rd Lawrence, KS 66046 785-218-6233 Tom works for the Kansas Rural Center to promote and enhance specialty crop production in Kansas. His focus is on high tunnel production and integrating conservation strategies into fruit and vegetable cropping systems. Since 2006, he has owned and operated Buller Family Farm, along with his wife and two children. They produce a variety of certified organic fruits and vegetables and are located in the Kansas River valley east of Lawrence. Tom has actively worked to build the local food system in northeast Kansas. He was the market manager for the Lawrence Farmer’s Market from 2009-2012 and is currently a board member. He is also a founding member of Fresh Farm HQ, a farmer owned cooperative food hub serving the Kansas City Metropolitan area. Burrows, Rhoda [email protected] 1905 Plaza Blvd. Rapid City, SD 57702 605-394-2236 Dr. Burrows is an Horticulture Specialist with South Dakota State University Extension, where she focuses on fruit and vegetable production and producer food safety practices. Her work has included such areas as high tunnels, cold-hardy grapes, plant-microbe interactions, and shrub fruit. She partners with the SD Dept of Ag and the SD Specialty Producers Association as well as colleagues across the U.S. to bring programs to new and established growers. * Byers, Patrick [email protected] 2400 S. Scenic Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 417 - 881 - 8909 http://extension.missouri.edu/greene/HorticultureProgramminginGreeneCounty.aspx Patrick Byers is Regional Horticulture Specialist with the Greene County office of University of Missouri Extension. His educational background includes degrees from the University of Nebraska, University of Missouri, and University of Arkansas, all in horticulture. His job experience includes 3 years at the University of Arkansas Fruit Substation, 18 years as Fruit Grower Advisor at the MSU State Fruit Experiment Station, and 6 years in his current position. A native of Nebraska, Patrick and his family reside on a farm near Fordland, Missouri, where they raise elderberries. Cloyd, Raymond [email protected] 123 Waters Hall Manhattan, KS 66506 785-532-4750 * Cochran, Diana [email protected] 106 Horticulture Hall 2206 Osborn Drive Ames, IA 50010 512-294-0355 Dr. Diana Cochran is an Assistant Professor at Iowa State University and serves as the state-wide Extension Fruit Specialist. As the state-wide Extension Specialist, Diana works closely with Iowa fruit and hop growers through on-farm collaborative research and demonstration projects as well as one-on-one consultation around the state. She brings expertise in water use efficiency, weed management, integrated pest management, and whole plant physiology. Dr. Cochran’s research focuses on evaluating sustainable production systems, nutrient management, and environmental variables (light, temperature, and water use), with the goal of reducing production costs without sacrificing plant quality. * Davis, Karen 9041 Riverview Dr. St Louis, Mo 63111 [email protected] 573 - 999 - 6293 * Eaton, Touria [email protected] 213 Allen Hall Lincoln University of Missouri Jefferson City, MO 65101 573 - 681 - 5174 Dr. Eaton is an Assistant Professor of Horticulture and State Horticulture Specialist at Lincoln University of Missouri. She manages LU Vegetable and Small Fruit Extension and Research program. Dr. Eaton has over 10 years of experience in research and teaching of farmers and University students. Her most recent courses include Sustainable Horticulture, Introductory Horticulture, and Organic Farming and Gardening. Her most recent research include research on how to increase the nutrient density of vegetable crops through cultivar selection and soil fertility regimes, and the use of biochar as a soil amendment to increase nitrogen use efficiency. Dr. Eaton’s work is published in HortScience, the Journal of Plant Nutrition, and the Handbook of Plant Nutrition. Farmer, Lisa [email protected] Missouri Dept. of Health & Senior Services 920 Wildwood Jefferson City, MO 64055 913-636-1073 Lisa Farmer, Nutrition Specialist with the State of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Health and Wellness, has over 20 years of community nutrition experience, including many years developing and providing training for school nutrition personnel and others serving meals to children. Lisa’s current projects include coordinating the Missouri Culinary Skills Institute (CSI) and collaborating with peers to develop the Missouri Farm to Preschool program: Growing with MO. Farmer developed her passion for school nutrition, and the hard working professionals feeding today’s youth when she worked for seven years as a Head Start, Nutrition Coordinator. She has a proven track record for success and an ability to grow nutrition related programs. Her past work experience includes: managing up to seven kitchens at one time, including supervision of staff; expanding community nutrition projects through building relationships with community partners; promoting healthy eating via a variety of media channels, including live television; and developing trainings and resources for food service staff. Fernandez, Gina [email protected] Dept. of Horticultural Science NC State University Box 7609 Raleigh, NC 27695 919-513-4416 Gina Fernandez is a Professor/Extension Specialist in the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University. She has a BS from Ripon College, MS from University of MN, PhD from Cornell Univ. She also has worked at the Univ Ark in between her MS and PhD. She has been at NCSU since 1996, where she started her career as and Extension Specialist in small fruit. In 2014, she became the interim strawberry breeder and is now the acting breeder. She is also the caneberry breeder and Extension Specialist. Her research focus is on the development of new cultivars of strawberry, raspberry and blackberry adapted to the SEUS region using traditional and molecular techniques. * Fisk, Connie [email protected] 8400 144th St., Ste 100 Weeping Water, NE 68463 402-267-2205 Fortier, JM [email protected] 1446 Guthrie Saint-Armand, QC J0J1t0 Canada www.themarketgardener.com Jean-Martin Fortier (JM) is a farmer, writer, and speaker specializing in organic and biologically intensive cropping practices. He is passionate about demonstrating how small farms can play an important role in the rebuild of the food system. His internationally recognized 10-acre micro-farm in Quebec, Canada is a perfect example of this: At les Jardins de la Grelinette, only 1½ acres are cultivated in permanent beds, yet the farm gross more than $100 000 per acre with operating margins of about 60 per cent, enough to financially sustain his family. The focus at la Grelinette has been to grow better-not bigger- in order to optimize the cropping system, making it more lucrative and viable in the process. While his wife now runs la Grelinette on her own, JM Fortier is now the acting director of a new farm initiative, la Ferme des Quatre-Temps, also located in Quebec. * Fowler, Tom [email protected] Buchanan County Extension 4125 Mitchell Ave. St. Joseph, MO 64503 816-279-1691 Frasche, Jim [email protected] 4751 York St Denver, CO 80216 www.coloradoaquaponics.com Jim has been developing year round growing systems, integrating specialty greenhouse structures with aquaculture, aquaponics, hydroponics, raised-bed and open field farming techniques in high altitude, cold climate, and arid locations. His urban farming model and high altitude greenhouse are featured at the Denver Housing Authority’s Sustainability Park, where he supports DHA’s mission to bring urban farming together with inner city housing models in food desert communities. Jim takes a financially centered approach to sustainability, and develops data supporting a P&L based approach to urban farming with a heavy emphasis on food safety and security. Jim enjoyed a successful executive career in construction machinery manufacturing, pre-engineered steel building products innovation and distribution, high-tech export trading services, and management consulting businesses. Jim teaches international marketing and area survey courses at Denver University and is frequently an invited speaker for educational, social and political organizations. Geringer, Frank 39675 W 183rd St. Edgerton, KS 66021 Gude, Kelly [email protected] 35230 W 135th St. Olathe, KS 66061 816-916-4691 Kelly Gude is a graduate student at Kansas State University working towards her Ph.D. in Horticulture with Dr. E. Pliakoni. She recently completed her M.S. degree from Kansas State University-Olathe in Horticulture and Urban Food Systems in December, 2016. She grew up in Kansas City, MO and received her B.S. from the University of Arkansas in Food Science in May, 2014. The research she will discuss today investigates the feasibility of spring-planted day-neutral strawberry cultivars in a high tunnel system in Kansas; identifies cultivars that are successful in this system in Kansas and the utility of evaporative cooling, in regards to yield and marketability throughout the production season; and to determine at harvest and postharvest quality of the cultivars that perform optimally in this production system with the utility of evaporative cooling. |
Hannan, Joseph
[email protected] Dallas County Extension 25089 Fairground Rd. Adel, IA 50003 515-993-4281 www.iowaproduce.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Specialist Joseph M. Hannan supports the local foods industry and is tasked with developing a regional extension education program for Iowa’s commercial fruit and vegetable producers. His expertise is in commercial fruit and vegetable production including small fruits, tree fruits, and vegetables; soil fertility; irrigation; and high tunnel production. * Harper, Travis [email protected] 100 W Franklin Clinton, MO 64735 660-885-5556 Hatfield, Dennis [email protected] 30226 Holly Rd. Pierce City, MO 65723 417-476-5454 Dennis & Becky Hatfield live in southwest Missouri and have been raising produce since 1999, and high tunnel tomatoes since 2005. Current production is 6,000 field tomatoes, 8,000 onions, cucumbers, and 700 high tunnel tomatoes. All produce is sold and marketed at their on-farm retail store. Hezel, Linda [email protected] www.prairiebirthdayfarm.com Linda has been developing Prairie Birthday Farm LLC as a small scale, polyculture site since 1995 in order to produce the beautiful, nutrient dense and flavorful organic food necessary for good health. She sells fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers to local residents and dozens of area chefs. Soil research with Dr. Robert Kremer at the University of MO. has been conducted on the Farm since 2003. Results have been published in Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems online. Among the many findings of the research is an increase in soil organic matter and total soil nitrogen in organically managed orchard sites. Farm research has been funded by the Missouri Department of Sustainable and Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education (SARE). Hoppenstedt, Zachary K-State Olathe Horticulture Research & Extension Center 35230 W 135th St. Olathe, KS 66061 913-856-2335 http://hnr.k-state.edu/ Zac Is a first year Master's student and graduate research assistant in Horticulture with specialization in Urban Food Systems at Kansas State University. He is co-advised by Drs. Cary Rivard and Jason Griffin. He conducts research on organic sweet potato propagation systems and assists in sustainable specialty crop trials at the K-State Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center. Zac grew up in the "Little Apple," he currently resides in Kansas City, he is passionate about local food production and has spent multiple seasons working on small diversified farms across the US and Latin America. Jett, Lewis [email protected] West Virginia University G215 Agriculture Science Bldg Morgantown, WV 26506 304-293-2634 Dr. Jett is Associate Professor and State Extension Horticulture Specialist with an emphasis in commercial, edible horticulture crops. He is a native of West Virginia. His research and outreach program focuses on methods to lengthen the traditional growing season and expanding locally grown production of fruits and vegetables. Dr. Jett uses high and low tunnel technology to expand local supply of fruits and vegetables. Other areas of research include stand establishment, seed production, no-till production and organic horticulture. Jokela, Dana [email protected] 4830 360th St. Cannon Falls, MN 55009 www.sognvalleyfarm.com Dana Jokela owns and operates Sogn Valley Farm, a 6-acre certified organic vegetable farm in Cannon Falls, MN. Dana holds a B.S. degree in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Vermont and an M.S. degree in Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture from Iowa State University. During his Master's program, he conducted research on organic no-till systems for vegetable production. Keller, Jackie [email protected] 2222 SW Glick Rd Topeka, KS 66614 785-633-4621 www.ocia.org In 2003, Jackie became Chapter Administrator for KS Chapter #2, (includes MO) of the Organic Crop Improvement Ass. (OCIA) Int., a certifying agency based in Lincoln, NE. The chapter has approx. 30 producers of crops, livestock, processing/handling and fruits/vegetables. The chapter system provides mentoring/networking for transitioning and certified producers. Jackie also owns/operates a 200 acre organic crop farm near Topeka, which has been certified since '04/05. Crops grown include alfalfa, red clover, wheat, oats, barley, triticale, milo, corn, soy beans and cover crops. Kelly, Debi [email protected] University of MO Extension-Jefferson County 301 Third St. Hillsboro, MO 63050 636-797-8391 http://extension.missouri.edu/jefferson Krawczyk, Joseph [email protected] Field and Forest Products, Inc N3296 Kozuzek Rd. Peshtigo, WI 54157 715-582-4997 www.fieldforest.net Since 1982 Joe and his wife and business partner Mary Ellen, have owned and operated Field and Forest Products, Inc in Peshtigo WI. As a major spawn producer and equipment supplier to the specialty mushroom business, their company has provided not only the hard goods for mushroom cultivation but also the education and support needed for growers to become successful. Lamborne, Barbara [email protected] 38223 John Wolford Road Purcellville, VA 20132 greenstonefields.com Barbara Lamborne has been farming Greenstone Fields in Loudoun County, Virginia for 11 years. She grows flowers on 2 1/2 acres and sells them at one farmers market, wholesale to floral designers, and through two farms’ CSA programs.. Barbara uses organic growing practices to grow over 90 varieties of flowers. Greenstone Fields has 4 high tunnels that are used for season extension to ensure harvests from March through November. Prior to farming, Barbara worked at the Environmental Protection Agency for 19 years. Landers, Andrew [email protected] Cornell University Geneva, NY 14456 Dr. Andrew Landers studied and taught agricultural engineering in England. He joined the faculty at Cornell University in 1998, and is based at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. He directs the application technology program and his teaching/extension/research appointment involves the use of engineering solutions to provide safer spraying. His group works with application systems in fruit crops and he believes in a multi-disciplinary approach to pesticide application, working with biologists to ensure engineering techniques are biologically effective. In 2007 he was presented with the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences at Cornell University award for outstanding accomplishments in extension and outreach. In 2010 the New York Wine and Grape foundation presented him with the Research award for major contributions in research and education. Andrew Landers is author of two books, Effective Vineyard Spraying and Effective Orchard Spraying, both published by Effectivespraying.com Loewen, David [email protected] 35230 W 135th St. Olathe, KS 66061 620-877-0052 I was born and raised in rural central Kansas. I majored in Biology at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS where I got my B.A. in 2014. I am currently a graduate student at Kansas State University, working on a masters degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in Urban Food Systems. McKewan, Jeanie [email protected] 650 N Stockton Rd Stockton, IL 61085 815-954-4390 brightflowerfarm.com As founder of Brightflower Farm, Jeanie is devoted to providing beauty and fullness of life through her plants and flowers. The farm grows cut flowers and some vegetable and herb starter plants for various wholesale markets. Her plants and flowers can be found throughout Chicago at various Whole Foods Markets and independent garden centers and florists. Growing plants, eating good, flavorful food, and stunning colors are her passion and she feels incredibly fortunate to be able to earn a livelihood providing people with all of these things! Mersha, Zelalem [email protected] 900 Chestnut St, 214 Allen Hall Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-681-5634 http://extension.missouri.edu/jefferson Zelalem Mersha is an Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist at Lincoln University (LU) of Missouri. His program, extension plant pathology, at LU focuses on enhancing the quality and productivity of vegetables and small fruits through delivering fact-based information that is pertinent to monitoring, identification and management of economically important diseases. Current outreach and research projects include: integrated approaches of managing a) Sclerotinia diseases in high tunnels, b) foliar and soil-borne diseases of tomatoes in protected systems and open fields and c) mildews on cucurbits. Marett, Mike & Rimol, Bob [email protected] 40 Londonderry Turnpike Hooksett, NH http://extension.missouri.edu/jefferson In 1994, Bob Rimol, owner of Rimol Greenhouse Systems, relocated to New Hampshire with his family and began working as a sales representative for a greenhouse manufacturer specializing in structures and systems. It didn’t take long for Bob to realize there was a lack of innovative and quality greenhouse technology options for local growers. And so Bob founded Rimol Greenhouse Systems in order to fill that gap. Bob contacted Mike Marett, a fellow UVM graduate, and combined their expertise in horticulture and engineering with a mutual entrepreneurial spirit to construct the first RGS Greenhouses. Rimol Greenhouse Systems now offers over 10 unique free-standing greenhouses. From the gutter-connected Matterhorn to the Rolling Thunder - one of the first mobile commercial greenhouses - RGS continues to set the market standard for innovation, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Millsap, Curtis [email protected] 6593 N Emu Lane Springfield, MO 65803 417-839-0847 [email protected] Curtis and Sarah Millsap, along with their ten children, farm manager, farm hand, and several apprentices, operate Millsap Farms, a 20-acre farm in Springfield MO. They grow 2 acres of vegetables and flowers, with 20,000 s.f. (almost 1/2 acre) under greenhouses, high tunnels, and caterpillar tunnels. They use organic practices, and sell through a year-round 120 member CSA, farmers' market, and restaurants. The Millsaps also host a weekly pizza night from May to October, where they have 250 people out to the farm for wood fired pizza and live music. They are always looking for ways to do more with less, including energy and water conservation measures such as no-till, solar greenhouses, stored heat, etc. They love to teach people who are looking to enter the field of farming, having hosted, as of the end of the 2016 season, over 25 interns, most of whom are still involved in farming full time, 4 of whom now have their own farms. Additionally, they host hundreds of people on tours each year, from large extension organized field days, to farm families from near and far who drop in for an impromptu tour of their farm. Curtis speaks to various groups about how to design farms for a balanced life, including using the right tools, infrastructure, labor and marketing mix to fit each farm. They also love to travel and camp, and spend an average of 6 weeks a year away from the farm. Morse, Ron [email protected] 1084 Old Sessler Mill Rd. Trouteville, VA 24175 540-591-2654 Ron is an emeritus professor in the Department of Horticulture at Virginia Tech. His major research-outreach focus is cover crop-based conservation agriculture for small-scale vegetable farms. Areas of specialization include: 1) establishment and management of high-residue cover crops to suppress weeds and supply nutrients (especially nitrogen) for succeeding vegetable crops, 2) integration of farmscapes (biostrips) and use of plant-diverse, controlled-traffic beds to alleviate soil compaction, manage insect pests and improve soil and overall farm health, and 3) development and refinement of small-farm no-till equipment. Naeve, Linda [email protected] 1111 NSRIC Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011 515-294-8946 Linda Naeve is a horticulture specialist for Iowa State University Extension's Value Added Agriculture Program. She works with the ISU food safety and local foods teams and is the Iowa state SARE coordinator. Linda has developed and taught MarketReady programs in Iowa and she and her husband operate a 100-member CSA in central Iowa. * Nair, Ajay [email protected] 145 Horticulture Hall Ames, Iowa 50011 515 - 294 - 7080 http://www.extension.iastate.edu/vegetablelab Dr. Ajay Nair is an Assistant Professor working in the area of Sustainable Vegetable Production in the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. The focus of his research, extension, and education program is on cover cropping, nutrient management, soil amendments and health, and season extension strategies in vegetable production. He also has an interest in local food production and works on production aspects and techniques needed to meet the rising demand locally grown produce. Northup, Andrea [email protected] 1244 Speer Blvd Ste. 930 Denver, CO 80209 303-844-4417 http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool Nwadike, Londa [email protected] 22201 W Innovation Dr Olathe, KS 66061 816 - 482 - 5850 http://missourifamilies.org/foodsafety/newsletters/ Dr. Londa Nwadike has been an Assistant Professor and Extension Food Safety Specialist for both Kansas State University and the University of Missouri since 2013. Before moving to the Kansas City area, Londa was Extension Food Safety Specialist at the University of Vermont, working with small-scale food processors and producers. Londa grew up on a diversified family farm in Eastern South Dakota where her mom always had a huge vegetable garden for their family's use. Olson, Erik [email protected] 5995 G Rd. Nebraska City, NE 68410 * O’Malley, Patrick [email protected] 3109 Old Hwy 218 S Iowa City, IA 52246 319-337-2145 Patrick has interests in all aspects of horticulture and has over 30 years of experience in the field. He has always had a special affinity towards fruits and vegetables. His formal training has been in the Midwest and Hawaii (B.S. in Horticulture from Iowa State University, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture from the University of Hawaii). He has been able to work with both temperate and tropical plants. For over twenty years Patrick has been the Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist with Iowa State University Extension for the eastern third of Iowa. * Piñero, Jaime [email protected] Lincoln University Cooperative Research and Extension Jefferson City, MO 65101 808 - 756 - 2019 http://www.lincolnu.edu/web/programs-and-projects/ipm Dr. Jaime Piñero works for Lincoln University as the State Integrated Pest Management Specialist. He has worked with pest and beneficial insects for the last 23 years. At Lincoln, Jaime conducts research aimed at developing effective and affordable ecologically-based pest management strategies that can be used by small- and mid-scale farmers regardless of growing system (organic, conventional, naturally-grown, etc.). Recent examples include mass trapping (Japanese beetles and cucumber beetles) and trap cropping systems as well as strategies that farmers can use to enhance pollinators and natural enemies of the pests for biological pest control. |
Pitcock, Jodie
[email protected] 12819 Country Place Dr. St. Joseph, MO 64505 816-676-7000 https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/livestock-poultry-grain Jodie Pitcock is the Livestock, Poultry and Grain Market News Federal/State market reporting supervisor overseeing the Voluntary Price Reporting Program for the state of Missouri and the Office-in Charge overseeing Livestock Mandatory Reporting for live cattle, sheep and lamb, stationed in St. Joseph, MO. Jodie holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. Following graduation relocated to Des Moines, Iowa in 1993 to pursue a career with USDA Livestock and Seed, Livestock and Grain Market News. Prior to joining Market News, Jodie worked as a summer intern with Livestock and Seed, Meat Grading Certification Branch, in addition to working with the Livestock and Seed Standardization Branch. Jodie grew up in Canadian, Texas; were he gained a passion for agriculture through his on the farm experience and by being active member of his local 4-H and FFA clubs. Pliakoni, Eleni [email protected] 22201 W Innovation Dr. Olathe, KS 66061 325-281-3366 Dr, Eleni D. Pliakoni, is an Assistant Professor in Urban Food Production and Postharvest Handling in the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources at Kansas State University, located at the K-State Olathe campus. Dr Pliakoni has 60% teaching and 40% research appointment and joined Kansas State University April 2013. She is supporting and expanding the Urban Food Systems M.S. specialization in the Kansas City metro area by developing relationships with the urban food systems industries and by teaching graduate courses related with the M.S. specialization and her area of expertise. She earned her PhD from University of Thessaly, Greece with focus on how pre harvest factors (light and water) are effecting nutritional, physical and sensorial quality of peaches and olive at harvest and during storage. She has more than 10 years of experience working with postharvest handling of fresh fruits and vegetables in Florida, Greece, Spain, and Texas. Her research program is focused on postharvest technology for local and urban food systems. She is studying the effects of various storage methods on shelf life, flavour, and nutritional quality of fresh produce. Specifically, Dr. Pliakoni is identifying pre-harvest factors and postharvest handling techniques that could be applied by small-scale growers. Currently her work is focused on determining the effect of two production systems (high tunnel vs. open-field) on the postharvest losses and nutritional quality of tomato and spinach. Also, she is working on developing modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology that could be used by local farmers in order to reduce food losses. Additionally she is examining the pre-harvest effects on postharvest quality of strawberries grown in high tunnels. Finally she is working on improving shelf life, quality and safety of locally grown vegetables in Kansas. Plinke, Marc info@ceresgs/cp 4760 Walnut St. Ste 106 Boulder, CO 80301 303-495-5006 http://www.ceresgs.com Marc is an inventor-innovator who started his career as a chemical and process engineer working for Gore Technologies. When landed in Boulder, CO, he retrofitted his family’s 1950’s ranch house into a “beyond-net-zero-energy home”. That experience led him into his second career in green building design. He has spent the past decade applying his engineering mindset and expertise to building better greenhouses. After helping build a state-of-the-art commercial greenhouse funded by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Marc started Ceres with the intention of enabling people to grow their own food sustainably and year-round. Marc’s passion is his family and his belief in leaving the world a better place for his children. Pontes Chiebao, Helena [email protected] 22201 W Innovation Dr. Kansas State University-Olathe Campus Olathe, KS 66061 Dr. Helena Pontes Chiebao is a Post Doc research assistant at Kansas State University, Olathe campus, working with Dr. Eleni Pliakoni with Urban Food Production and Postharvest Handling. Dr. Chiebao obtained her Ph.D in Food Science at University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) with a collaboration study with University of Florida (U.S.) at the Horticultural Sciences Dept., studying how postharvest treatments affects the aroma volatiles profile in Bananas, and the biochemical pathways involved. She also has a master in Food Science (University of Sao Paulo - Brazil) working with the effect of gamma irradiation on the postharvest quality of peruvian carrots, a South American tuber commonly consumed locally. Her bachelor degree was in Pharmacy-Biochemistry with a minor in Food Analysis obtained at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. * Quinn, James [email protected] 2436 Tanner Bridge Rd Jefferson City, MO 65101 573 - 634 - 2824 James has been a Regional Horticulture Specialist for University of Missouri Extension in Jefferson City for 9 years. He was a wholesale greenhouse salad green and herb grower for 9 years in Michigan. Since moving to Missouri he has been involved in a wide range of agriculture projects, including greenhouses, vegetables, alternative agronomic crops, IPM, high tunnels, and medicinal herbs. He has been a contributor to the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for over 5 years. Rees, Rex 2476 Hwy K4 Topeka, KS 66617 Reinbott, Tim [email protected] 17095 N Hwy 124 Centralia, MO 65240 571-883-4450 southfarm.cafnr.org Tim is the Director of Field Operations at the University of MO in the College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources. He does research on cover crops in field crops and vegetables and how they affect soil health. He also works with mineral nutrition of plants including the Albrecht system. * Rivard, Cary [email protected] KSU Olathe Horticulture Center 35230 W. 135th St Olathe, KS 66061 785 - 320 - 3033 www.hightunnels.org ; www.growinggrowers.org Cary is a Fruit and Vegetable Extension Specialist at Kansas State University in the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, and is Center Director of the Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center located near Kansas City. His research program focuses on sustainable farming production systems and current projects include: vegetable grafting, sweet potato slip production systems, high tunnels, cover crops and minimum tillage systems, and reducing postharvest losses. Rudisill, Neil [email protected] 1804 East 36th St. KC, MO 64109 816-316-3655 incthrives.org Neil Rudisill is the Health Initiatives Manager for the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council. Neil received a B.S. in Biology from Kansas State University in 2004 and a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Missouri Kansas City in 2016. Neil also studied at Johnson County Community College where in 2010 he received his certificate in Sustainable Agriculture. Throughout the years Neil has studied the health of the environment and how it relates to humans. Realizing that health is not just being free from disease Neil became interested in the functioning of the Built Environment. In 2011 Neil began working within the Ivanhoe Neighborhood to help advance active living initiatives. He purchased a house on the city demolition list and fully renovated it into a healthy, energy efficient home. In 2013 he established Woodland City which is a 21,000 sq-ft market garden on lots purchased from the Land Bank. Currently Neil is expanding his market garden into two other vacant lots as well as renovating two more houses on his block. Social determinants of health help guide the vision of a thriving neighborhood for Neil and he will work as a resident and employee of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood to help manifest healthy change in a community that has been plagued with crime, drugs and deprivation for decades. Ruggieri, Thomas [email protected] 18613 Downing Road Kearney, MO 64060 816-320-3763 www.fairsharefarm.com Tom Ruggieri and his wife Rebecca Graff operate Fair Share Farm in NE Clay County Missouri. Since 2004 the farm’s main market has been their 130 member CSA. Biological methods have been the key to their farming success, through extensive cover cropping, compost and mineral applications, mulching, and animal rotations. The farm fully embraces innovative and new technologies for vegetable farming including an electric Allis-Chalmers G tractor, a solar powered irrigation system and a spader/digger tilling system. This fall a commercial kitchen was constructed at the farm and they will be the area’s first Farm to Ferment operation. Schweitzer, Cory 5455 SE State Route FF St. Joseph, MO 64507 816-232-3999 http://www.schweizerorchards.com/Schweizer_Orchards/Welcome.html Sharashkin, Leo [email protected] PO Box 1021 Ava, MO 65638 815-301-1845 www.horizontalhive.com Dr. Leo Sharashkin is editor of "Keeping Bees With a Smile", a comprehensive resource on keeping bees naturally in horizontal hives. He is a regular contributor to American Bee Journal, Bee Culture, and Acres USA, and speaks internationally on sustainable beekeeping and organic growing. He holds a PhD in Forestry from the University of Missouri. Author of world-renowned research in sustainable agriculture, he lives with his wife and four children on a forest homestead in the Ozarks in southern Missouri where they catch wild swarms and raise bees in a variety of low-maintenance, easy-to-build horizontal hives. His website (with free hive plans): HorizontalHive.com Stasiak, Matt [email protected] Peninsular Agricultural Research Station 4312 State Hwy 42 Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 920-743-5406 Matt grew up on the streets of Detroit, MI. It was there that he heard the calling of the soil in a small garden behind his parent’s garage. An interest in horticulture germinated and soon the city boy was off Michigan State University. There his academic interests began to bloom with studies and completion of a BS in Horticulture. After that he traveled to the University of Arkansas to be Professor Roy Rom’s last graduate student, where his roots became firmly established in the science of Horticulture. After a short 7 year cultivation period he received his MS in Pomology. In the early 90’s Matt transplanted himself and family to Sturgeon Bay, WI. Now at the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station, for the last 25+ years, he has cultivated research and outreach in apple, tart cherry and most recently grapes. In 2012 he was named Superintendent of the station; a position he hopes will ripen and mature. Stotts, Tammy [email protected] 502 E 9th St. Wallace State Office Building Des Moines, IA 50319 515-281-7657 iowaagriculture.gov Thellman, Scott [email protected] 1547 N 2000 Road Lawrence, KS 66044 785-840-4892 Jhf-ks.com As a first generation farmer and owner of Juniper Hill Farms, a diversified farm producing hay, alfalfa, small grains, and organic vegetables located in Lawrence, Kansas, Scott Thellman has a passion for organic and sustainable agricultural production, post-harvest handling, food systems, and the economics of growing. A graduate of Iowa State University, Scott returned to Kansas to continue growing his operation, and is working to strengthen the region’s food systems to better serve his local and regional communities with fresh and affordable locally grown produce. Uchanski, Mark [email protected] CO State University Dept. of Horticulture & Landscape Arch. 1173 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523 970-491-4885 http://specialtycrops.agsci.colostate.edu/ Mark Uchanski was born and raised among the corn and soybean fields of the far western suburbs of Chicago, IL. His first formal job was as a strawberry picker, then produce stand worker, for a 100 acre produce farm about 2 miles from his home. That early experience, among many others, began his life-long passion for vegetable crops. He completed his B.S. and Ph.D. in horticulture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, then moved to southern New Mexico in 2008 to start a faculty position at New Mexico State University. In 2016 he moved to Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, CO where he is the coordinator for the CSU Specialty Crops Program. Dr. Uchanski enjoys teaching and conducting research projects related to vegetable crop production systems, organic production, and modified environments. Veum, Kristen [email protected] USDA-ARS, 302 ABNR Building University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 573-289-9798 https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/columbia-mo/cropping-systems-and-water-quality-research/people/newell-kitchen/kristen-veum/ Dr. Kristen Veum is a Research Soil Scientist in Columbia, MO. With a background in geological sciences, water quality, and soil biogeochemistry, her research is cross-disciplinary and focuses on soil health assessment for sustainability and environmental protection. Her research involves assessment of soil health in the Midwest, particularly in degraded and marginal landscapes. She is interested in soil microbial community structure and function in a wide range of ecosystems, including agroecosystems, managed forests, and native prairie. Dr. Veum is currently collaborating with other scientists to quantify the effects of drought on native prairie plant production and diversity, microbial metagenomics, and microbial function. Wortman, Sam [email protected] 362F Plant Sciences Hall Lincoln, NE 68583 402-472-6704 http://agronomy.unl.edu/wortman-research Dr. Wortman is an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He studies the effects of local conditions and management on horticultural crops and the environment and his goal is to develop novel management tactics for local, urban, and organic specialty crop farmers that increase yield and reduce labor without jeopardizing environmental quality. Wostrel, Clinton 2405 S Hwy 75 Union, NE 68455 https://www.facebook.com/UnionOrchard Being born in the Denver metro area does not prepare one to become a farmer. But, Clint worked many years at a landscaping nursery while in high school and college. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter MN with a degree in Business Management, but he has always had a strong interest in Horticulture. Clint lives in Nebraska City and will help oversee the re-planting of Union Orchard. * Indicates 2017 Great Plains Growers Conference Committee Member |