2025 ISPC Speakers

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig grew up on his family’s Century Farm in northwest Iowa near Cylinder. He continues to be involved in the family’s operation today working alongside his father and uncle. A graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, he has spent his entire career working in the agriculture industry. Mike and his wife, Jaime, have three boys. 

Mike was elected as the 15th Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in November 2018 and reelected in 2022. He provides leadership for the Department, which provides programs and services to Iowans and the ag community in the areas of consumer protection, food safety, animal industry, water quality, soil conservation and more. 

In a state where agriculture is a leading economic driver, Mike knows that a strong Iowa relies on strong Iowa agriculture, and he strives each day to ensure the future of Iowa agriculture remains bright for the next generation.

As Secretary, he is committed to: expanding markets; protecting Iowa’s natural resources; advocating for Iowa’s youth; and making Iowa an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Mike works tirelessly to expand economic opportunities for Iowa farmers, livestock producers, agribusinesses and all the hard-working men and women who provide food, feed, fiber and fuel to consumers here and around the world. He leads efforts to grow local, domestic and international markets and to expand trade opportunities.

Under Mike’s leadership, the Department leads the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy by working with more than 350 public and private partners on conservation initiatives designed to improve water quality, enhance soil health and protect Iowa’s natural resources. Mike will continue to push for acceleration of the state’s conservation efforts to get more conservation practices on the ground across Iowa.

Mike is a strong advocate for the next generation of leaders and actively supports youth education and leadership programs, which prepare them for rewarding careers in agriculture and encourages them to call Iowa home.

Choose Iowa Program Director, Beth Romer

Beth Romer’s passion for agriculture propagated and grew on her family’s Century Farm where she learned firsthand the value of hard work and respect for stewarding the land for future generations. Beth’s marketing and communications expertise in agribusiness and production agriculture, forestry and conservation education strategically align with promoting and supporting Iowa’s farmers and the foods they raise through the Choose Iowa Marketing Promotion and Grant Program. Beth most recently enjoyed collaborating on a promotional cookbook project including developing recipes, food styling and food photography and videography for another state’s branded marketing program. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Wayne State College and a master’s in business administration from Iowa State University. When not helping on her family’s farm or exploring farmers markets, fairs and agritourism destinations, Beth and her husband, James, enjoy their flourishing garden and menagerie of farm animals near Altoona, Iowa.

State Climatologist of Iowa, Justin Glisan

Dr. Glisan has an extensive background in atmospheric and climatological research, with expertise in the analysis of extreme temperature and precipitation events. He earned his B.S. (2005) and M.S. (2007) in meteorology at the University of Missouri, where he concentrated on droughts and heat waves. In 2012, he completed his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences at Iowa State University with a research concentration on the dynamical causal mechanisms of precipitation and temperature extremes. While at Iowa State University, his research had a strong academic collaboration across a broad range of federally funded projects. His work experience includes advanced atmospheric research techniques, large data machine learning, and statistical analysis.

As State Climatologist of Iowa, his responsibilities include quality control of Iowa weather observations, weekly recommendations to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and weekly and monthly climate summaries for state stakeholders. Iowa weather and climate observations go back to 1872 and represent the history of weather across the state. These observations help tell the story of Iowa agriculture and how resilient and innovative the state’s farmers are and have been. Looking at how trends in precipitation and temperature are changing and applying this climatological analyses through the lens of agriculture is also a very important part of the position. Dr. Glisan advises the Secretary of Agriculture on climatological matters impacting the agricultural sector.

Andy Farmer

Andy has owned and operated Northeastern Vine Supply with his wife India since 2002.  We grow, pack and ship grapevines of cold hardy varieties from our farm in Vermont to commercial and hobby growers around the country.  In addition to their grapevine nursery production, we also maintain 8 acres of “mother block” vineyard with over 40 named and un-named varieties of grapes that supplies our nursery with budwood and grapes for wine production, as well as hi tunnel table grapes for the local market.  They feel fortunate to have worked with growers from challenging climates as diverse as maritime and mountain areas of the East, the Upper Midwest and Plains, and the high deserts of the Intermountain region, and they apply that experience to helping growers match grape variety, site, and their goals.

Dr. Suzanne Slack

Dr. Suzanne Slack joined the Horticulture faculty at Iowa State University in late 2021 specializing in fruit production. She received her PhD from Michigan State in 2020; her dissertation topic was on the tree fruit disease fire blight. Dr. Slack’s new fruit program at Iowa State aims to improve fruit production in Iowa.

Parker Puchta

Parker Puchta is the CEO of Adam Puchta Winery, the Oldest Continuously Owned Family Farm winery in the Country. His leadership extends across the industry as the President of the Missouri Vintners Association and Vice President of the Hermann Vintners Association. Parker’s commitment to excellence and community involvement is also reflected in his active participation as a local Jaycee member.

Under Parker's guidance, Adam Puchta Winery has achieved significant recognition, most recently winning the 2024 Husmann Jaeger Award for Best White Wine. Parker's vision for the winery builds on the significant achievements of his late father, Tim Puchta, who laid the roots for the winery's success. Together with his dedicated staff, Parker continues to develop this legacy, ensuring that Adam Puchta Winery remains a pivotal player in the Missouri wine industry.

Kristy & Bob Walker

Kristy and Bob Walker are the founders of Walker Homestead Farm and Winery, a thriving and sustainable agricultural operation near Iowa City established in 2020. Their farm features a diverse blend of gardens, orchards, vineyards, pasture, and cropland, along with a charming small venue that seamlessly combines farming and agritourism. Beyond their work on the farm, Kristy and Bob are both professors at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business. They bring a shared passion for mentoring and empowering local businesses, leveraging their expertise to foster growth and prosperity within their community.

Randall Vos

Randall is the Commercial Fruit Crops Field Specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach where he provides technical assistance to fruit growers throughout the state. He has a wide range of experience in fruit production. Prior to working in Extension, Randall taught production horticulture courses and served as the Coordinator for the Mid-American Wine Competition at Des Moines Area Community College.

Lora Friest

Lora Friest is a Tourism Liaison for the Iowa Tourism Office. In her position she engages industry partners in implementation of the Iowa Tourism Office’s innovative Marketing Plan, administers the Iowa Tourism Grant and works one-on-one with tourism partners to increase understanding of ITO programs, branding, marketing, economic impact data and other insightful research. Lora has 25 years of experience in economic development, including over 20 years as Executive Director of NE Iowa RCD where she built a reputation as ‘a systems change expert’ who fostered partnership and ingenuity to implement hundreds of millions of dollars in projects including several projects that helped with winery business start-up, expansion, branding and marketing.

Anne Zwink

Anne is the winemaker at Soldier Creek Winery in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She's been partnering with CanUp Mobile for 4 years to produce various cider products and has developed experience in the technical, logistical, and marketing aspects of canned wine.

Mason Groben

Mason graduated from UCDavis in Viticulture and Enology, and has spent 20 years in the Iowa wine, craft beer, and event industry.  He is the owner/winemaker at Jasper Winery in Des Moines.

Denise Gardner

Denise Gardner, wine consultant and founder of Denise Gardner Winemaking (DG Winemaking,

https://dgwinemaking.com/) has been integrated in the grape and wine industries for over 20 years with a background in wine production improvement, sensory evaluation, and research. Denise holds a M.S. in Food Science and Technology from Virginia Tech University, and has completed two industry accreditations (the Certified Specialist of Wine, CSW, from the Society of Wine Educators and the Level 3 certification from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, WSET). Having worked in both industry and academia, Denise provides a unique perspective and experience few hold in the wine industry.

Today, DG Winemaking delivers focused consulting and educational services that improve wine production efficiency, quality, and marketability for wineries of all sizes. Denise’s consulting services continue to address common winemaker needs and connect people to build community within a vast, growing industry. By assisting wineries with fermentation and production plans to optimize quality from grapes to package, providing effective wine processing decisions, assisting with compliance, and creating wines with intention to enhance quality, Denise’s clients have improved recognition among peers, competitions, consumers, and wine reviewers. You can learn more from Denise by subscribing to her Winemakers’ Blog newsletter, following her on Instagram (@dgwinemaking), or listening to her podcast “Voices of the Vine” available through most podcast platforms.

Sarah Thompson

Sarah Thompson is the Director of Rural Development for Greater Iowa City Inc. In her role, Sarah collaborates with Johnson County and rural communities to streamline the process for businesses looking to start or relocate in the area. She is dedicated to promoting local agriculture-based businesses and enhancing the economic stability of rural communities. Sarah's efforts include initiatives like community branding, which supports rural communities in developing and establishing their unique identities, placemaking, and economic development education for rural areas.

With a passion for development and a commitment to fostering growth, Sarah plays a crucial role in ensuring that the rural areas of Greater Iowa City thrive and maintain their small-town charm while embracing new opportunities.

Tyler Ackerson

Tyler Ackerson serves as the Legislative Liaison for the Iowa Department of Revenue, representing the Department on tax, alcohol, and lottery policy matters before the Iowa legislature and with constituent groups, government agencies, and the general public. Mr. Ackerson previously served as an Executive Officer with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, drafting legislation, managing the agency’s administrative rules program, and providing education and outreach to

stakeholders in the areas of alcohol licensing and regulatory policy. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree

from the University of Iowa with a double major in journalism and political science. He is also a graduate of Drake University’s nationally accredited Certified Public Manager program.

Chuck Crabtree

Chuck Crabtree serves as a member of the alcohol licensing leadership team with the Iowa Department of Revenue's Alcohol and Tax Compliance Division.  He is the licensing team’s subject matter expert on wineries, breweries, and distilleries, along with all beer and wine wholesalers.  Chuck has over 4 years of experience working for the state in alcohol licensing, operations, administrative actions, and education.  He comes to the state after 5 years of experience as a Chief Business Officer/Head Brewer for an Iowa brewery and 10 years with Indian Hills Community College as the director of Iowa BioDevelopment and the Regional Entrepreneurship Center.

Dr. Aude Watrelot

Dr. Aude Watrelot is an Assistant Professor and Extension specialist of Enology in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University. Dr. Watrelot’s research area is fruit, grape and wine tannin and polysaccharide chemistry and their relationship with wine quality. Dr. Watrelot graduated with a PhD degree in Food Science from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and the University of Avignon in France. Following graduation, Dr. Watrelot moved to California both at CSU Fresno and UC Davis to keep conducting research into polyphenol-macromolecular interactions on red wine chemistry. At ISU, she is currently conducting research and developing Extension programs on understanding viticultural and winemaking practices that could maximize phenolics extraction and improve wine quality. She had developed extension programs such as webinars, workshops, field days, articles to answer the growing wine industry in Iowa and in the Midwest.  She is currently serving as the chair for the American Society of Enology and Viticulture – Eastern Section (ASEV-ES) and as the vice-president for the Groupe Polyphenols.

Jon Frank

Jon Frank has been a student of the soil for the last 40 years. In the past 2 decades Jon has been a soil consultant and a citizen scientist. During this time he has made thousands of fertility recommendations for gardens, greenhouses, market gardens, specialty crops, fruit trees, and field crops. 

Through trial and error, and a fair share of mistakes on the way, Jon clearly proved the cascade that starts with soil health and impacts plant health, food quality, animal health and performance, and culminates  with human health and vitality.

Jon lives in southern Minnesota with his wife Rebecca. They have the joy of 5 children and 4 grandchildren. When not busy with work Jon loves to spend time with family, do some gardening, and manage the trees on his property.

Beany Bode

Beany Bode and his wife Joanne are Iowa natives who left the state after college but returned to start a family and a farm in 2004. Beany maintains the Bode Family Century farm of corn and beans, and the family has added a vegetable CSA, over 10 acres of pumpkins, and a bit of agritourism over the years. Besides farming, Beany teaches at the local high school, and is always looking for a fun activity such as broadcasting radio sports to keep life interesting.

Sara Pirtle

Sara Pirtle is the Wine and Beer Education Specialist for the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute at Iowa State University. An ISU Culinary Food Science graduate with several years of experience in the food and craft beer industries, as well as a foray in small-scale vegetable and native woody plant production, she now supports winemakers through troubleshooting, outreach, and resource development.

Erin Norton

Erin joined the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute in December 2015 and is currently the Associate Director.  Erin’s background in chemistry eventually led her to studies in viticulture and enology and before coming to Iowa she worked 7 harvest seasons around the world. Erin finished her PhD in food science in 2022 at Iowa State University.  At the MGWII Erin is responsible for all research and outreach activities.

Becca Ritz

Rebecca is passionate about the wine industry and making it easier for businesses to achieve their goals.

In 2008, she blended two of her loves – design and wine – and began to focus on helping wine brands tell their brand story. Rebecca specializes in integrating this brand story and strategy into print, packaging, digital marketing, and website design and development to stand out from the

competition.

She prides herself on providing tangible takeaways that owners and marketing managers can apply to their specific winery. When not speaking, she partners with wineries and vineyards around the country to create unforgettable brands with strategy and heart.

Her free 7 week email course entitled “Sell More Wine” has helped hundreds of wineries discover how branding and digital marketing can play an integral role in increasing their bottom line.

Bauerhaus Design is a member of the Wine Industry Network, Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, and the Women of the Vine & Spirits, an organization dedicated to the support and advancement of women in the alcohol beverage industry.

Megan Secor

  Megan Secor is the Marketing Coordinator for Soldier Creek Winery in Fort Dodge, Iowa. A proud Iowa State University graduate with a degree in Horticulture, Megan pairs her green thumb with a creative spark as an avid reader and knitter. Her marketing expertise stems from robust continuing education opportunities that include Facebook’s Blueprint program, a Social Media and Wine Marketing course at Sonoma State University, IWGA webinars, and insights gained from industry conferences like License to Steal, Travel Iowa, and Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium. A firm believer in working smarter, not harder, Megan thrives on finding innovative solutions without reinventing the wheel.  

Christy Deal

Christy Deal leads the marketing, events, and communications efforts at Deal’s Orchard. For the past fifteen years, she has helped to bring new ideas and attract visitors to the family’s century farm in Jefferson, Iowa. Her expertise in research and eye for photography have been instrumental in showcasing the orchard's unique charm and driving its growth. Outside of the farm, Christy is a research scientist and communication specialist at Iowa State University.

Megan Luke

Megan Luke is an Extension Educator with Penn State University specializing in viticulture & tree fruit and is a member of the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program Team, a collaboration with Cornell University. Her focus is the implementation of IPM principles in perennial crop systems, orchard and vineyard management practices, precision agriculture, pesticide application strategies including equipment calibration, entomology including identification and trapping methodologies of agricultural pests, invasive species management, weed science, and PPE training.

Tricia Engelbrecht

Tricia Engelbrecht is the owner of Engelbrecht Farm. Engelbrecht Farm hopes to bring smiles, create memorable experiences and share the beauty of nature. Tricia and her husband Seth have always loved gardening, even when they were in high school. Their passion has driven them to provide quality flowers and produce to their community. They sell their flowers at the local farmers market, to florists, CSA members, workshops and U-picks. They plan to open a farm stand this year and create more events to share the beauty of flowers. 

Nick Behlke

Nick Behlke is a Policy Director with the Iowa Department of Revenue. He is a graduate of Drake University Law School and the University of Iowa. He previously worked as an attorney with the Department's Legal team. Prior to joining the Department in 2019, Nick spent three years in private practice.

Bryan Randolph

Bryan Randolph is the founder of Can Up Mobile, a premier mobile canning service based in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Can Up Mobile provides comprehensive and affordable canning solutions for craft beverages, including beer, cider, kombucha, and cold coffee. Serving the Midwest region-including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri, and Illinois-the company offers complete packaging services, supplying cans, lids, labels, carriers, and crates to meet diverse client needs.

Under Bryan’s leadership, Can Up Mobile utilizes innovative canning equipment operated by professional, well-trained staff, ensuring high-quality service for both small and large production facilities. The company is equipped to fill any can size, demonstrating flexibility to accommodate various client requirements.

Nicole Jonas

Red Granite Farm is owned and operated by Nicole Jonas along with her husband, Steve and is located in rural Boone County. Red Granite Farm is a diverse operation, including 5+ acres of fruits and vegetables, a 30'x96' high tunnel, a flock of 800ish laying hens and a full-service garden center. Nicole also does landscape consulting for the DIYer.

Paul Rasch

Paul Rasch is an owner of Wilson's Orchard and Farm along with his wife and children.  He is a fourth generation apple grower who grew up in Michigan.  In Iowa he and his family have  orchards in both Iowa City and Des Moines which combine upick experiences, value added products, restaurants and event spaces.

Jordan Lyon

Jordan is the wholesale manager for Buser’s Produce, a farm that has been active in melon production since the late 1800s, in Conesville, Iowa.”

Dan Fillius

Dan Fillius is the statewide field specialist for commercial vegetables and specialty crops with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Before joining Extension, Fillius grew organic vegetables for 13 years including stints managing the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm and 140 acres of vegetables at Featherstone Farm.

Leslie Billings

Leslie Billings is an insurance agent with Farm Bureau. She has been with Farm Bureau for 18 years and offices out of Waukee. Leslie is licensed in all lines of insurance and has an Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Specialist certification and is also an Farm Bureau AgWise agent. 

Lyle Ditmars

Lyle practiced law for over 40 years primarily doing trial work. Although still "of counsel" with his long time firm, he currently spends almost all of his time working at the family orchard.

Patrick O’Malley

Patrick has interests in all aspects of horticulture and has over 35 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 25 years Patrick has been the Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist with Iowa State University Extension & Outreach for the eastern third of Iowa.

Dr. Ajay Nair

Dr. Ajay Nair is the Chair of the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. He also serves as the Extension Vegetable Specialist focusing on developing strategies to enhance crop production, soil health, and cropping system profitability for vegetable cropping systems in Iowa. The focus of his current research, extension, and education program is on agrivoltaics, which is integration of fruit, vegetable, and solar energy production. He works closely with commercial vegetable growers, extension staff, industry representatives and stakeholders to meet the rising demand of locally grown produce and enhance the profitability and sustainability of vegetable production systems.

Dr. Xiaochen Yuan

Dr. Xiaochen Yuan is an adjunct assistant professor in plant pathology at Iowa State University. His research focuses on primarily bacterial diseases of plants, particularly fire blight and soft rots. While his research is more in the lab, he works on understanding how both the bacteria and plant are interacting in the context of controlling disease symptoms. 

Jason Foley

Jason Foley is the owner of Foley's Russian Bees and co-owner of Honey Hollow Apiaries & Gardens LLC. He has served as the president of the Iowa Honey Producers Association for the last 3 years, 4 time recipient of the University of Florida's "Beekeeper of the Year" award, is a certified master beekeeper through the University of Florida, serves on the board of the Russian Honeybee Breeders Association, and is the Iowa representative for the multi-state organization of the Great Plains Master Beekeepers.

Lori Bochner

Lori Bochner is owner at Bochner Farms, a flower farm near Indianola. She grows cut flowers on the farm for commercial production, plus an acre of Daylilies which she and her husband Jim also hybridize.  She designs and cultivates multiple flower gardens on the farm as display and show gardens.  She and her husband host a variety of garden tours, farm-to-table dinners, u-picks and private events on the farm.  Lori has been an avid flower gardener all her life, but only in the past 5 years have grown flowers commercially.  She is passionate about showcasing Iowa grown agricultural products, sharing growing information and inspiring others to grow flowers.

 Lori and Jim are also passionate about giving back, so they launched their GivingColor initiative where they donate a meal through Meals from the Heartland for every bouquet purchase and tour or dinner ticket purchase from the farm.  Flowers feed the soul, they can feed the world too!

Ashley Recknor

Ashley currently lives in Britt, Iowa, with her husband, Jess, and their daughter, Rylan, on their family farm. She serves as the Specialty Services Officer at Iowa Specialty Hospital and Clinics in Clarion and Belmond, overseeing multiple clinics and purchasing teams. In addition, Ashley and her family own and operate Purple Ribbon Beef, marketing their beef directly to consumers through farmers’ markets, local co-ops, and weekly nationwide shipping. She is passionate about supporting local foods and small businesses.

Ashley graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Community and Public Health and a minor in Entrepreneurship. She also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration. Ashley volunteers with Commonground Iowa, promoting agriculture to consumers, and is a member of both the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Policy Committee and the Iowa Farm Bureau FARM Team.

Bryan Etchen

Bryan's parents started Iowa Orchard in the mid-70's where he grew up learning all orchard tasks.  He received his bachelor's degree in Hotel/Restaurant/Club Management from Iowa State University. He then managed Iowa Orchard with his parents through the '90's. His parents retired in 2000 from the business, turning all duties over to Bryan. He runs a popular U-Pick Apple and Strawberry business, farmstand, and homemade bakery at his two locations in Urbandale and Granger.

Judy Lubben

Judy Lubben is the owner of Lubben Vineyards and Wines, a winery near Anamosa, Iowa. With a background in accounting and an MBA from Mt. Mercy University, Judy brings a unique blend of business and passion for winemaking. Her expertise extends beyond the vineyard, as she has served as an Accounting Manager, Controller, CFO, and currently as a fractional CFO, helping businesses grow and thrive.

Dr. Sean Toporek

Dr. Sean Toporek received his PhD from Clemson University in 2022 working on cucurbit diseases, then worked at Colorado State University as a postdoctoral researcher working on Cytospora canker of peach trees, and is now the specialty crops pathologist at South Dakota State University and the director of the SDSU Local Foods Education Center – SDSU’s student and teaching farm.

Eric Rogich

Eric Rogich has been in the Ag Industry for over 40 years. He started working in the green houses and went on to manage two large apple orchards. He has now been a sales representative at Nutrien Ag Solutions for 10 years. Helping growers large and small achieve the best quality fruits and vegetables.

Brooke Dietsch

Brooke Dietsch is a horticulture graduate student under Dr. Suzanne Slack at Iowa State University. Her research focuses on cultivation of cold hardy grapevines and other small fruits. Specifically, how chemical applications and pruning methods affect vine vigor and the effect that wood-eating fungi have on the health of various small fruits.

Dr. Chelsea Harbach

Dr. Chelsea Harbach joined the Iowa State University Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic in late 2022. As the state plant diagnostician, she gets a unique insight into the goings-on with plant diseases on all plants across the state. With this experience, she strives to educate Iowans about plant disease issues and how to manage them, with an emphasis on integrated pest management, through Extension programming.

Dr. Erin Hodgson

Erin Hodgson is originally from North Dakota and received her B.S. (Biology) and M.S. (Entomology) from North Dakota State University in Fargo. She got her Ph.D. (Entomology) in 2005 from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul where she worked on soybean aphid. She is an extension entomologist and professor at ISU, with a specialty in field crop insects. Erin has a general background in integrated pest management, where she develops tactics to improve corn and soybean production in the Midwest. Her extension and research programs are focused on improving profitability, sustainability and environmental stewardship of agriculture. Erin enjoys communicating with social media (e.g., Twitter, videos, and podcasting) to reach stakeholders and share research-based management recommendations.

Sara Holton

Sara and her husband, Tyler accidentally founded their business in 2015, The Holton Homestead. Over the years they have dabbled in many different aspects of homesteading such as; raising pasture pigs, raising meat rabbits, market gardening, managing a 26 acre orchard, making sourdough bread, raising poultry, herbal remedies, and more. But over the years they have found their true passion with keeping bees. 

When they first started they had no intentions of this being their full time gig, but as of 2023 bees have been their sole source of income. Sara is so excited for the opportunity to share what they have learned over the years of making their own products and selling them.

Peter Werts

Peter Werts, Department Director and lead crop consultant at the IPM Institute, works with apple farmers across the upper Midwest to help them implement bio-intensive IPM programs to include providing on-farm crop scouting and manages the weekly AppleTalk IPM conference call program. AppleTalk provides apple producers in the upper Midwest with a weekly in-season presentation and Q&A session on emerging pest, disease and other crop-management information.

Dr. Sarah Al-Mazroa Smith

Dr. Sarah Al-Mazroa Smith has a background in agricultural extension education focusing on program development and evaluation. She has experience with curriculum development, program facilitation and evaluation with youth and adults across various agricultural industries. She holds a PhD and Master's degree in Agricultural Education along with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science all from Iowa State University.