Horticulture specialist named at extension

Submitted by Roxanne Creamer
Phone: (907) 474-5406
02/18/04

University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service Director Tony Nakazawa has appointed Jeffrey Smeenk assistant professor of horticulture/extension horticulture specialist.

"This position provides statewide leadership in support of the commercial horticultural industry in Alaska," Nakazawa said. "Another component of the position in extension is to maintain involvement with extension district land resources agents to provide training, technical assistance, educational materials and response to clientele needs."

Smeenk came to Alaska from Michigan State University where he worked as research agronomist since 1995. He has a Ph.D. in sustainable agriculture from MSU and a master’s degree in agriculture and plant pathology from Pennsylvania State University.

"I look forward to learning the challenges involved with a colder climate than what I’m used to," Smeenk said. "I’m also looking forward to assisting agents in working with crops that are new to me, such a greenhouse and landscape industries."

Smeenk’s office is located at the UAF Palmer Research and Extension Center. His position is a split appointment of 75 percent extension and 25 percent Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, School of Natural Resources and Agriculture Sciences.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is a unit of the College of Rural Alaska with 12 offices statewide located in communities of Anchorage, Bethel, Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Glennallen, Kodiak, Juneau, Nome, Palmer, Sitka, Soldotna and Thorne Bay. For more information contact CES at (907) 474-7246 or fyace@uaf.edu.