This is a tenure eligible position with a 12-month appointment and approximately 75% extension, 20% research, and 5% service (other than extension) responsibilities. The annual distribution of effort will be aligned with this colleague’s strengths and college/department needs. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2025.

Kentucky’s 74,100 farm operations cover 12.9 million acres (7 soil physiographic regions), including 0.51, 1.55, 1.85 and 2.12 million acres planted to winter wheat, corn, soybean, and hay, respectively (NASS, 2022). Much of the remaining acres are in pasture, providing grazing for 2.43 million beef/dairy cattle, horses, and small ruminants, and the soil resource also supports waste utilization from nearly 300 million broilers annually (NASS, 2022). The successful candidate will provide statewide leadership and develop an externally funded, nationally recognized, integrated extension and research program with emphasis in at least one of the following areas: soil physical property management, soil-plant-water relationships, precision agriculture, and/or nutrient management. This nationally recognized program is expected to meet Kentucky row crop and forage producers’ needs, support homeowner and commercial horticulture issues related to soil fertility and management, and collaborate with various soil and plant research programs within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) and across Kentucky. The successful candidate will be a core contributor to the agronomic expertise in the Plant and Soil Sciences Department whose extension responsibilities will include developing guidelines for improved soil management and conducting impactful extension programs. The appointee will be familiar with and use current and emerging technologies in their extension and research efforts.