Regional Extension Educator – Ag Business Management – St. Paul campus
Doug Tiffany started on December 8 as a Regional Extension Editor in ag business management specializing in the economics of renewable energy. He has both a B.S. and an M.S. in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota. He worked in state government and in commercial banking for more than a decade, and has worked full-time as a self-employed farmer raising agronomic and vegetable crops. He has been with the University’s Department of Applied Economics since 1994.
Editor – EFANS Communications – St. Paul campus
Jessica Franken joined the communications team for the Extension Center for Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences as an editor on November 25. She comes to us from the College of Education and Human Development, where she was the online marketing specialist. Jessica is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and a master’s student at the University, studying feminist theory and speculative fiction. She is also a member of the University of Minnesota Communicators Forum board. Among other tasks, Jessica's duties include writing and editing for web and print, creating opportunities in new media, managing project flow for the communications team, and developing easier ways for employees around the state to share resources and knowledge.
Local Extension Educator – Conservation Agronomy – Fairmont
Jill Sackett joined Extension as a local Extension Educator conservation agronomist on November 17. Her position is being funded by Rural Advantage, a nonprofit that seeks to promote connections between agriculture, the environment and rural communities. Jill focuses on education and applied research around sustainable farming systems that promote higher levels of non-point source pollution mitigation practices.
Extension Educator – St. Paul
Katherine Waters started on November 1 as an Extension Educator specializing in farm safety, food systems and animal health. She has a master’s in public health from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Colorado State University. She is a board-certified veterinarian and was in clinical practice for 13 years in Colorado, California, and Washington. She is currently a postdoctorate fellow for veterinary public health at the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Her Extension appointment includes working with the Minnesota Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Project and agricultural safety initiatives.
Regional Extension Educator – Horticulture – Andover
Kathy Zuzek started on September 29 as an Extension Educator for horticulture, specializing in woody plants. She has an M.S. in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.S. in forest science from the University of Minnesota. She will participate in and develop programs with particular emphasis on woody plant materials for Master Gardeners and horticultural professionals throughout the state. She has worked as a scientist in the Woody Ornamental Research program at the University of Minnesota since 1987.
Local Extension Educator – Water Quality – St. Paul
José Hernández joined us on September 29 as a local Extension Educator working in the area of manure management and water quality. He has a Ph.D. in soil science with a minor in statistics from the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on using traditional small-plots as well as on-farm, large-scale trials to address questions related to nutrient management and water quality. He is on the Agronomy Journal editorial board.
Extension Educator - Water Resource Management - Leech Lake
Shirley Nordrum started on September 2 as the water resource management Extension Educator located in Leech Lake. Shirley has more than 17 years of experience as the environmental program manager for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. She has developed and led programs in water and wetlands, air quality, and environmental services. One of Shirley’s primary responsibilities is designing, implementing, and evaluating research-based educational programs for residents on the Leech Lake reservation. Programs will concentrate on individual onsite sewage treatment systems and shoreland education.
Extension Program and Communications Manager - St. Paul
Rebecca Noran began as Extension program and communications manager for the Extension Center for Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (EFANS) on August 11, on the St. Paul campus. Rebecca leads the communications effort and helps implement organizational initiatives for EFANS. Rebecca comes to University of Minnesota Extension from the University’s College of Education and Human Development, where she was on the communications team for 7 ½ years. Prior to joining the University she worked in creative services for organizations including Medtronic, First Avenue and 7th St. Entry Nightclub. She has designed, edited and managed projects for museums and nonprofits including the University's Weisman Art Museum and Goldstein Museum of Design. Rebecca received a Master of Fine Arts in design with a museum studies minor from the University's College of Design and holds an undergraduate degree from Macalester College.
Regional Extension Educator - Food Science - St. Paul
Elena Yepiz joined the food science team as an Extension Educator for food safety on August 18. She is housed on the St. Paul campus in Food Science and Nutrition. Elena works on developing and teaching training programs in Spanish to the food service industry primarily serving the metropolitan area. Elena has an MBA from Mexico, with a focus in seafood HACCP and quality assurance.