Eric Brenner is an experienced professional with over 13 years in international agricultural development, currently serving as the Assistant Director for the Center for Coffee Research and Education at the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture & Development, Texas A&M AgriLife Research. His career has been dedicated to improving agricultural practices and enhancing food security, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. In his current role, Eric is responsible for securing funding from diverse sources, including USDA, USAID, foundations, and private organizations, to support the Center’s initiatives in coffee research and education. He manages the coordination of resources and operations for multiple projects, ensuring their successful implementation and impact.
Eric also has a strong background in education and outreach, having taught classes on coffee production, processing, and brewing. He played a key role in establishing a coffee teaching lab at the Borlaug Institute, which serves as a resource for students, faculty, and the community. Additionally, he has worked on community-focused projects, such as developing opportunities for African American youth in Fort Worth, TX, within the coffee industry, and helping to create the 12th Man Coffee brand to raise awareness of challenges faced by coffee farmers. Eric’s experience has equipped him with the skills to manage complex projects, build strategic partnerships, and contribute to the advancement of agricultural development and food security. He remains committed to his work in this field and is eager to bring his expertise to new challenges and opportunities.
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.
David Smith is an Extension Program Specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department and 4-H Youth Development. For more than 25 years David has worked in the water industry providing educational programs on water resources, conservation, treatment and irrigation issues. He has been a TCEQ Licensed Irrigator since 1999. David also leads the Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program for high school youth across the state.
