Empowering Educators to Co-create Community Partnerships | Integrating Evidence-Based Practices to Increase Program Impact

I am a Professor of Practice in the Crop and Soil Science Department in the College of Agricultural Science at Oregon State University. My work focuses on bringing evidence-based teaching and learning practices into the everyday work of extension professionals and others who teach in agricultural and natural resource systems. Through leading educational projects, I have seen the power of collaboration to spark new insights and deepen connections with farmers, ranchers, and community members.

Through my work, I aim to shift the mindset that learning and teaching innovation happen alone. Instead, I want to build a culture of engagement—one where we co-create effective approaches that support sustainable practices and nurture human well-being.

Areas of Focus

Climate Stress and Grief: I serve as a co-PI on Climate Stress and Grief: Building Resilience in Farmers and Ranchers Initiative, which offers programming for producers and train-the-trainer courses for educators. Building on this foundation, a new transdisciplinary team is expanding the program to include fisheries and forestry communities, recognizing the shared challenges across natural resource sectors. Together, we are also launching new research to deepen understanding of ecological distress and to explore the most effective ways to support those whose livelihoods are increasingly threatened by extreme weather and environmental change.
Professional Development: I provide capacity-building programs to help educators expand their knowledge of the science of learning and build skills in instructional design and learner-centered teaching. I support and advocate for creating programming with producers as co-educators to ensure lived experience and knowledge are included.
International Research and Service: With two colleagues, I co-developed an OSU study abroad program with the Royal University of Bhutan. In September 2025, I co-led the first OSU cohort to experience Bhutanese culture and learn how gross national happiness is informed by Buddhism, Bhutanese culture, and rural life. As an accepted Fulbright Specialist, I will share my expertise outside the US through a collaborative project.
Extension Teaching Network: I lead monthly Zoom meetings with guest presenters to provide a venue for sharing teaching and learning insights and to demonstrate new tools that enhance engagement. Contact me to get added to the group.