James serves as an Extension Assistant in Value-Added Agriculture within UT Extension's Center for Profitable Agriculture. His work in this role primarily focuses on value-added agricultural products and supporting the Southeastern Dairy Business Innovation Initiative. Prior to this, he served as the Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent in Wayne and Hickman counties respectively. James earned a B.S. in Natural Resources Management from University of Tennessee-Martin, an Agriculture teaching license from Middle Tennessee State University, and a M.S. in Agriculture Leadership and Education from University of Tennessee-Knoxville. James' background is heavily involved in production Agriculture. With a background including raising Beef Cattle, Burley Tobacco, Row-Crops and Forages, he continues to operate a family row-crop operation in Maury County, TN along with is Wife Stephanie, and Son Levi.