Working as an Extension Specialist for 20 years has allowed me to develop, implement, and evaluate strong education programs that address the needs of diverse audiences in different subject areas (food resource management, food safety, home food preservation, and nutrition). With audiences in both rural and urban settings, I appreciate the challenges that educators (and clientele) face when trying to adopt healthy behaviors or attend educational programs. Also, coming from a state that is ethnically diverse, I can draw upon those experiences and my appreciation for diversity to continue our efforts to provide food and nutrition education programs that reach all people. I have taught a lot about food preservation from freeze-drying to canning, and more!
In addition to my role as an Extension Specialist, I previously served as the Associate Department Head for Extension within the Department of Nutrition for the past 17 years. Responsibilities included (1) direct supervision of Specialists, Extension Program Specialists, Extension Assistants and student workers; (2) administrative oversight of the Extension Foods and Nutrition unit which includes the management of grants, contracts, and outreach programs conducted by the unit; and (3) planning, management, and oversight of unit operating budgets which total more than $11 million dollars annually.
Eric is the owner and operator at Boniol Farm & Ranch. Here at Boniol Farm & Ranch, we are a fully functioning farm and ranch, located outside of Caldwell. Our focus is to offer high quality, taste, and nutrition to Burleson and the surrounding counties. Our motto is Farm Fresh to the Table.
Originally from Blanco, TX, Tim Hartmann received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Horticulture and Plant Breeding (peaches) in 2009 and 2023, respectively, from Texas A&M University. He received his Ph.D. in Horticulture from Texas A&M in May 2020 after completing a study on the adaptation and feasibility of golden kiwifruit production in Texas. Tim is an assistant professor and Extension fruit specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Department of Horticultural Sciences at TAMU, where he teaches the Temperate Fruit & Nut Production course and advises several graduate students. He is responsible for grower support, development of educational material on fruit, and assisting County Extension Agents. Tim’s research focuses on both established commodities such as peach, fig, apple, pear, and plum, as well as exploration of alternative crops apricot, Asian persimmon, pineapple guava, and kiwifruit.
Dr. Masabni earned his PhD in 1998 at Michigan State University. He joined the University of Kentucky in 2002 as the fruit and vegetable specialist. In 2008, he joined the department of Horticultural Sciences as the Extension Vegetable Specialist. In 2021, he moved to the Dallas Center to lead extension programming on controlled environment horticulture and conduct research on hydroponics and aquaponics. His service appointment extends to homeowners, beginning farmers, County Extension Agents, and Master Gardeners. His research interest is to conduct research and demonstration trials to meet the needs of urban agriculture production including high tunnel, and hydroponics/aquaponics. His extension outreach includes developing online and printed materials for vegetable organic and conventional producers and homeowners, hosting workshops and conferences, and assisting county extension agents in serving Texas clientele.
Garett Slater has 18 years of beekeeping experience. Garett obtained a BS and MS in Biology from North Dakota State University in 2014 with a thesis focused on nutrition and Queen Quality. He then worked as a scientist and technician with the Bee Informed Partnership at the University of Minnesota for two years, directly supporting 30 commercial beekeepers in North Dakota and Texas. In 2022, he obtained his PhD from Purdue University with a thesis focused on applying modern genetic tools to honey bee breeding. He was then a USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellow from 2022 to 2024 at the Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Lab in Baton Rouge, LA. In 2024, he became an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University as the state’s Apiculture Extension Specialist.
Garett’s current research focuses on developing cheap genomic tools to help beekeepers select bees for natural defenses towards Varroa, pathogens, and other diseases. Additionally, Garett provides extension support to beekeepers across the state. He also has a long history of communication and involvement with beekeepers via webinars and presentations, specialized courses, and articles. The topics of these communications ranged broadly, including fundamental scientific concepts (e.g., genetics, breeding, reproductive biology) and practical areas of interest (e.g., integrated pest management, queen production, disease management).
