Distinguished lecturer in UT Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics connects classroom learning with real-world farming experience
Where are you from, and how did your education and career lead you to the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture?
I am from Friendsville, Tennessee. After completing my MS degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I had the opportunity to work on the UT Biofuels Initiative as an Extension specialist. The experience working on a unique project with a select group of agricultural producers showed me how much I enjoyed teaching and how rewarding it was to invest in the success of others. In 2013 I was given the opportunity to come back to campus and begin teaching undergraduate courses in Agricultural and Resource Economics.
What inspired you to pursue a career in agricultural and resource economics?
My family operated a dairy farm continuously from the late 1930s until 1999. Both my grandfather and father have their degrees from what is now the Herbert College of Agriculture, so I was always aware of its existence and grew up hearing lots of stories about their days spent in Knoxville. I also grew up in the shadow of the 1980s farm crisis and remember the general feeling of struggle that was experienced by everyone involved with production ag. My family’s eventual decision to leave the dairy industry inspired me to try to understand farm finances and the forces that lead to structural changes in economies.
Can you describe your responsibilities and what a typical day in your role looks like?
A typical day involves preparing for and teaching classes. I also spend considerable time meeting with students outside of class for mentorship and extra help with classroom work. I am also fortunate to get to spend time helping develop our curriculum and guiding the strategic direction of our undergraduate programs.
What is the most rewarding about working in higher education?
Helping students solve problems, grow as individuals, and reach their full potential.
What has been one of your proudest moments during your time at UTIA?
No one moment stands out. The great thing about this job is getting to witness and support all the moments of success, both big and little, that students experience on their journey.
How do you stay connected to what’s happening in the agriculture industry and bring that into your teaching?
I still operate our farm in Loudon and Blount counties. We have both beef cattle and row crops. I’m a believer in practicing what you teach. I also assist with the Tennessee Master Farm Manager Program, which gives me the opportunity to interact with a variety of producers from across the state.
How do you approach mentoring students as they prepare for careers in agriculture, economics or related fields?
Identifying a positive experience a student has had in a course, internship, or work is my usual first step in mentoring. After we figure out what motivates them, the rest is easy.
What opportunities do you think are most valuable for students during their time in college?
Internship and undergraduate research opportunities may be the most important at the undergraduate level. These tend to help focus and begin to apply the material from coursework.
What are you most excited about for the future of the UT Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics?
We have been fortunate to make some great faculty hires in the last few years. It is a pleasure to have many young, energetic, and bright coworkers.
What do you like to do outside of work and/or what is a fun fact about yourself that your colleagues may not know?
I spend most of my time outside away from UT working on the farm at home. When I get the chance, you might find me playing the trombone at different venues around East Tennessee.
