AGREETT-funded faculty

Dr. Joe Armstrong

Extension Educator, 

Cattle Production Systems

Armstrong specializes in the practical application of evidence-based medicine and management for both beef and dairy operations.  He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Minnesota Morris in 2011 and graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. After veterinary school, he worked as a private practitioner with beef and dairy farms at Anderson Veterinary Service in Zumbrota, Minn. He currently lives in Roseville.    

Aliota’s work has direct applications for numerous arthropod-borne pathogens of consequence to agriculture, e.g., Rift Valley fever virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, Cache Valley virus, bluetongue virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, etc. His goal is to better define the potential for these viral agents to emerge as an animal and/or public health burden in Minnesota and North America. Aliota is also investigating the performance of surveillance systems within complex ventilation equipment to detect the spread of airborne pathogens. Aliota is from Wisconsin and earned his Ph.D at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Babcock is interested in developing statistical methods for incorporating remote sensing information into forest inventory. Remote sensing data, including lidar and hyperspectral information, can tell us a lot about forest structure and composition. Combining these rich information sources with traditional forest field plot measurements using models stands to greatly improve the usefulness of forest inventories for management and decision-making. Remote sensing can allow for mapping of forest characteristics and increase inventory estimation precision for forest stands. He received a bachelor's degree in forest management and master's degrees in geography and applied statistics at Michigan State University, and his  Ph.D at the University of Washington.

Assistant Professor

Animal Science 

Boukherroub was born and raised in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria and moved to the United States to study biology at the University of Delaware. She earned a Ph.D. in biomedical and integrative physiology at Pennsylvania State University, where her dissertation focus was on avian reproductive biology. Her postdoctoral work at the University of Rochester in New York focused on RNA processing and its role in cancer using state-of-the-art genome engineering approaches. In her new role, she will investigate mechanisms of ovarian function using agriculturally relevant avian species, with the ultimate goal of addressing problems in the broiler breeder and turkey breeder industries. In addition, research efforts will contribute to basic knowledge about ovarian function that could be applied in the biomedical fields, reproductive evolution, and wildlife conservation efforts. In addition to her research program, she will teach undergraduate courses in animal science. 

Assistant Professor and Extension Engineer

 Bioproducts and  Biosystems Engineering

Cortus’s research interests are the measurement and estimation of farm-level gas emissions and the related impacts on animals, workers and surrounding community. She earned her Agricultural Engineering degree  and Ph.D degree programs at the University of  Saskatchewan. Before coming to the University of  Minnesota, Cortus spent eight years in a similar research and Extension role at South Dakota State University.  She coordinated the statewide Environmental Training Program for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, and worked closely with producers, counties and  concerned citizens on questions and discussions related to odor and manure management. Her research projects have included measuring the air quality impacts of different manure management practices in beef cattle barns, and the productivity impacts of  providing additional cooling for grow-finish pigs.

Extension Educator, Swine

DeWitte provides quality  assurance certifications and  biosecurity education to swine producers and youth exhibitors, collaborates on swine barn  environmental research, and assists with gilt development research at the University’s Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca. She grew up on a crop and livestock farm in northeast Indiana and earned  her degrees at Purdue University.  Before taking this position, she worked on a large central Indiana hog  farm and was an Extension Educator in Indiana and  in Blue Earth and Le Sueur counties in Minnesota. 

Susanne Hinrichs

Extension Educator, Ag Business Management

Hinrichs provides support and leadership to the Extension Women in Agriculture Network, as well as serving as an Extension educator on the Agricultural Business Management team. The Extension Women in Ag Network is focused on educating farm and ranch women, as well as women who work with farmers and ranchers, on relevant topics in the agriculture sector. As an Ag Business Management educator, she provides education on farm business transition, agricultural policy, and the five risk areas of farming, including financial, human resource, legal, marketing and production risks. Hinrichs previously served as a regional director with U of M Extension and grew up on a small grains, beef, and sheep farm in northwest Minnesota. She holds degrees in Marketing/Ag Economics and Leadership & Public Affairs with a concentration on evaluation methods.  

Natalie Hoidal

Extension Educator, Fruit and Vegetable Production
 

 Hoidal works with produce farmers on all aspects of vegetable production, on scales that range from community gardens to large commercial farms.  She previously worked as an educator with Extension's Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education program, where she worked with commercial pesticide applicators in a variety of industries as well as fruit and vegetable growers. She has a master's degree in agronomy from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, where she worked with specialty crop breeding and promotion, specializing in amaranth production in dryland farming systems. She completed her undergraduate degrees in biology and environmental studies at the University of Minnesota Morris. She has worked on and with diversified vegetable farms around the world, and she grew up on a cacti and succulent farm in Forest Lake, Minn. 

Extension Educator, Food Safety

Hultberg’s focus is on-farm food safety education, outreach and research related to Good Agricultural Practices, or GAPs, with fruit and vegetable producers. GAPs are voluntary practices farmers take to reduce the risks associated with unintentional microbial contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables. She grew up in Wisconsin and earned her master’s degree at the University of Minnesota. She has co-coordinated the on-farm GAPs education program since 2011.

Zhenong Jin

Assistant Professor

Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering

As an agroecologist, Jin uses remote sensing, computational modeling and machine learning to address agricultural and environmental sustainability. The outcomes of his application of large datasets and modern tools will benefit crop production for both industrial and smallholder farms. He earned his doctorate in earth science at Purdue University and his bachelor’s in ecology at Peking University. He received postdoctoral training in the Lobell Lab at Stanford University.

Jungers’ research objective is to improve and develop new cropping systems that provide high-value agricultural products, mitigate environmental pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. His research focuses on improving nutrient use efficiency of crops and cropping systems to increase farmer profitability and agricultural sustainability. He relies on the basic principles of ecology, field and laboratory experimentation, statistical analysis and simulation modeling to contribute information to scientists, farmers and policy makers. Currently, his research is focused on the agronomics and environmental impacts of a new perennial grain crop: intermediate wheatgrass (Kernza™). Jungers earned his doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota.

Jennifer Ann Kimball

Assistant Professor

Agronomy and Plant Genetics

Kimball's research focuses on investigating the genetic and physiological bases of quantitative traits in wild rice and the development of new and improved cultivated varieties to improve the sustainability and economic grain of the Minnesota cultivated wild rice industry. Her team also focuses on evaluating how genetic diversity in wild rice is partitioned genetically and distributed geographically in natural stands to help ensure their protection and preservation.  She earned her doctorate and master’s in crop science at North Carolina State University and bachelor’s in biology at Ithaca College.   

Assistant Professor

 Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Larsen’s team is best known for their work on Chronic Wasting Disease, which presents multiple threats to agricultural industries and international trade. His team also is developing diagnostic tools for the rapid and portable detection of tick-borne pathogens, and analyzing gene-edited cattle cell-lines developed specifically to resist heat-stress and tropical diseases. In FY23, Larsen has received over $8.9 million in funding for agriculturally-relevant, multi-year research projects. Larsen is from South Dakota and earned his Ph.D from Texas Tech University.

Amelia Lindsey

Assistant Professor

Entomology 

Lindsey’s research is dedicated to understanding insect-microbe and insect-parasite interactions with the goal of improving pest  and vector management. She brings with her research experience in genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, and entomology. She grew up in California and received a bachelor’s degree from San José State University, and her doctoral degree from the University of California Riverside. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Minnesota, she was a postdoctoral scholar at Indiana University. 

Megan McCaghey

Assistant professor

Plant Pathology

McCaghey’s research is centered on translational research of soil-borne fungi that cause crop diseases. More specifically, she is interested in questions related to understanding the ecology and epidemiology of soil-associated fungi and oomycetes and enhancing host disease resistance to improve management. She is also passionate about teaching using learner-centered and inclusive teaching strategies. She earned her Ph.D. in plant pathology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and a master’s degree in international agricultural development from the University of California - Davis.

Associate Professor
Soil, Water and Climate

Miao’s research focuses on precision nitrogen management, especially using proximal, UAV- and satellite-based remote sensing technologies to improve crop nitrogen management in different scales of farming systems, and developing integrated precision crop management systems for high crop yield and resource use efficiencies and protection of the environment. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Chinese universities along with a master’s degree from West Texas A&M University and his doctorate from the University of Minnesota.

Brandon Miller

Assistant professor

Horticultural Science

Miller’s research program aims to solve production issues that limit the development of novel nursery crops, especially those of underutilized taxa with horticultural merit. His Extension program is centered on education of landscape horticulture practices and supports the introduction and application of emerging nursery crop species and selections. He works with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and uses plant exploration to seek out unique species and provenances of plants with desirable traits for horticulture. He earned his Ph.D. in horticultural biology at Cornell University and his master’s in horticulture from Iowa State University.

Extension Educator, Crops

Modderman collaborates with farmers and researchers to identify and address manure management needs across Minnesota. Through educational programs, she provides practical insight for producers and industry members in both crop and livestock fields. She is from a farm family in west central Minnesota (south of Benson). She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from Southwest Minnesota State University, and a Master of Science degree in plant pathology from North Dakota State University while working as a research specialist.

 Assistant Professor and Extension faculty

Veterinary Population Medicine

Dr. Noyes’ research encompasses several food animal populations: beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry and others. Her expertise is in the role of microbial populations in animal health, minimizing antimicrobial resistance, and developing new tools to advance microbial eco-epidemiology. In the past year, Dr. Noyes' efforts attracted more than $2 million in external funding. Dr. Noyes is a native of New York and earned degrees from Amherst and Colorado State University.

O’Connor’s team is working to identify new compounds for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease found in both humans and neonatal ruminants, especially in Minnesota. It is caused by a zoonotic parasite. There are no effective treatments for the disease and no vaccines.  Moreover, there are very few drugs under development. Identification and development of new compounds is both a veterinary and medical imperative.  O’Connor earned advanced degrees from Cornell University and the University of Florida-Gainesville.

Assistant Professor and Extension Soil Scientist

Soil, Water and Climate

Pease focuses her research on nitrogen and phosphorus management in row crop systems, bringing best management practices to Extension and outreach efforts for Minnesota farmers. She is dedicated to solving the complex agro-ecological challenges faced by farmers, crop advisors, and water systems managers. She earned her Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in food, agricultural, and biological engineering from The Ohio State University.

Assistant Professor and Extension Climate Scientist

  Soil, Water, and Climate

Roop's research focuses on building connections between science and society with an emphasis on climate change adaptation and climate change communication. Originally from Wisconsin, she combines climate science and science communication to connect climate change information to decision-makers and communities across the Midwest, U.S., and abroad to help diverse stakeholders prepare for a changing climate. She holds an Affiliate Assistant Professorship at the University of Washington School of Public Health and was formerly the lead scientist for science communication at the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group. She has worked as a Physical Scientist with the United States Geological Survey. She holds a Ph.D. in Geology from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, an M.S. in Geology from Northern Arizona University and a B.A. in Geology from Mount Holyoke College. 

Isaac Salfer

Assistant Professor
Department of Animal Science

Salfer’s research focuses on understanding of the metabolic physiology of dairy cattle to develop nutritional strategies to enhance the productivity and efficiency of dairy operations. His areas of interest include the relationship between circadian rhythms and nutrient metabolism and the impact of novel feed ingredients on rumen fermentation. He also teaches classes related to dairy nutrition and nutritional management and will work with the Gopher Dairy Club and other student activities. Salfer grew up 60 miles from the Twin Cities in Dassel, Minn., where he raised his own small herd of registered Brown Swiss cattle. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science at the University of Minnesota before completing a Ph.D. from Penn State University. Prior to joining the University of Minnesota he spent 1.5 years as an assistant professor at South Dakota State University. 

Sarangi's research program will focus on evaluating integrated crop and weed management strategies with an emphasis on sustainability and economic returns, and his statewide Extension program will provide leadership in the development of best management practices for reducing the risks of herbicide resistance evolution in weeds. He has an active presence on Twitter (@UMNweeds). Sarangi earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in India and received his Ph.D. in weed science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In Nebraska, he worked on several weed biology and management projects and worked closely with the growers and industry partners. He is an active member of the North Central Weed Science Society and the Weed Science Society of America. Prior to joining the University of Minnesota, Sarangi was an Assistant Professor at the University of Wyoming. 

 Shannon’s research is dedicated to potato breeding, population and quantitative genetics, domestication, and diversity. The Shannon lab seeks to increase our understanding of potato genomics, diversity, and evolution in order to facilitate the development and application of methods to speed the potato breeding process in the service of breeding new potato cultivars with increased biotic and abiotic stress resistance and enhanced nutrition and quality traits for Minnesota growers. She earned her doctorate in genetics at the University of Wisconsin and her bachelor’s at Grinnell College.

Jon Trappe

Extension educator, Turfgrass science

Trappe provides Extension support to all Minnesotans within and around the turfgrass industry. His Extension program is focused on educating homeowners and professionals within the industry to maintain or improve turf conditions with fewer resources. Jon is also passionate about educating the general public about the environmental and recreational benefits of turf. He came to the University of Minnesota as a post-doc, focused on projects related to weed suppression in fine fescues and improving seed and management recommendations for roadside turfgrass installations. He also played an important role in the development of outreach programming, including helping to launch an online course focused on roadside turfgrass installation and management. He earned his Ph.D. at Purdue University and a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Arkansas. 

Melissa Wilson

Assistant Professor and Extension Soil Scientist

 Soil, Water and Climate

Wilson’s research and Extension programs are in manure management and water quality. Her goals are to build awareness and increase adoption of manure handling best management practices, to increase connections and dialogue with stakeholders, to improve the economic activity and sustainability of farms, and to make progress toward cleaner water for Minnesotans. She earned Ph.D. and M.S. degrees at the University of Minnesota in Water Resources Science with research in soil fertility and nutrient management. Before coming back to Minnesota, she worked in the University of Maryland Extension’s Agriculture Nutrient Management Program, where she taught farmers and ag professionals about nutrient management planning.

Madeline Wimmer

Extension Educator

Food Systems- Fruit Production

Wimmer works with fruit growers throughout Minnesota to develop tangible outreach programs to improve grower lives and fruit programming. Before coming to the University of Minnesota, she spent time as a researcher and vineyard manager at the Missouri Grape and Wine Institute. Born and raised in Rochester, Minn., she received her bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working with cold climate wine grapes during her graduate studies.