Integration of Diagnostics into a Vibrant Extension Program

I serve as an Extension Plant Pathology Specialist for the state of South Dakota and serve as the Director of the South Dakota Plant Diagnsotic Clinic. My background is in virology, diagnostics, and extension so I work to integrate this into my extension program and research pursuits. The perspective that I bring is the challenge of working in a state with only one specialist for all plant pathogen issues and managing the only plant disease diagnostic clinic in the state. I also will address balancing extension expectations with research and how to integrate the two into a vibrant program.