Our Team
Nathan Shoaf
Nathan Shoaf, received his M.S. in Ecological Sciences and Engineering from Purdue University with a focus on horticulture and soil microbiology. He has over 20 years of experience working with stakeholders in urban farms and specialty farm production throughout the United States. Areas of interest: soil health, remediation, contaminant fate and transport, risk perception, and science communication. Nathan collaborates with stakeholders, Extension staff, and faculty to enhance Extension’s statewide programming and resources.
Ashley Adair
Sarah Brackney
Veronica Bullock
Phillip Cox
Sara Dzimianski
Sara Dzimianski is the Purdue Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources based in Perry County, and serves statewide as a sheep and goat specialist. Her primary areas of interest are dairy goat management, and parasite management in sheep and goat production. She also coordinates programming that includes such topics as pesticide safety, beekeeping, beef production, invasive species management, and gardening.
Wenjing Guan
Wenjing Guan is a horticultural specialist. Her research and extension programs focus on developing and delivering sustainable production practice for vegetable, melon, and strawberry production. She is an expert in vegetable grafting
Sarah Hanson
Sarah Hanson is the Food Systems Coordinator for Indiana. Her work supports diverse farms and value-added food businesses. She has a focus on local food and has been involved with local food council efforts. Sarah is on the Small Farm Conference team. She also is involved with connecting people to food safety and health partners.
Prior to this role, she was the Ag/Natural Resources Purdue Extension Educator in Johnson county for 10 years.
Jeff Hermesch
Jeff Hermesch is the Agriculture & Natural Resources/Community Development Educator in Dearborn County. He has been involved in a variety of Extension programming including Master Gardener, consumer and commercial horticulture, field crop production, local foods, soil health, Purdue Hops Team, and DIY Lawn Care Team. His specialty is in Turfgrass Science where he has worked in several communities to enhance green spaces including parks and athletic complexes.
Mathias Ingle
Mathias Ingle is the Ag & Natural Resources Extension Educator in Howard County (Kokomo, IN). Mathias is a newer educator to the group, starting in April of 2019. He coordinates the local programming on a local level to serve the community.
Laura Ingwell
Dr. Ingwell conducts research and creates resources for insect pest management on fruits and vegetables. Her areas of expertise include pest management in controlled environments, urban agriculture, biological control and insect exclusion techniques. She also leads the content organization for the Indiana Small Farm Conference.
Michele Jones
Michele Jones is based in Morgan County and is relatively new to Extension. She has a background in dairy farming and coordinates programming that includes gardening, vermicomposting, and soil health.
Rebecca 'Becca' Koetz
Rebecca Koetz is the Urban Agriculture Educator in Lake County. She focuses on food systems work, food justice, beginning farmers, urban agriculture, sustainable agriculture, youth natural resources and gardening, community gardens, and Master Gardeners.
Petrus Langenhoven
Petrus Langenhoven is Horticulture and Hydroponics Crops Specialist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. His strong background in horticulture production research and Extension allows him to leverage research and Extension programming around new technologies and expertise in high tunnel and greenhouse management, and open field vegetable production. His skills propel him to engage in new crop development activities such as microgreens, personalized specialty cantaloupe, leafy amaranth, summer squash, sweet colored and chili pepper, and peppermint production.
Liz Maynard
Karen Mitchell
Karen Mitchell is the Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Karen’s passion for plants led her to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and Master’s in Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University. She served as the Ag and Natural Resources Educator in Tippecanoe County for six years before transitioning onto campus where she is able to continue her statewide extension programming for community gardens and home horticulture.
Amanda Moisman
Amanda Mosiman, Amanda’s DFFS expertise is aiding farm market masters and direct marketing vendors to understand proper food safety protocols and state / county regulations. She also enjoys aiding small livestock producers.
Jeffery Pell
Jeffery Pell is serving on the Exhibitors committee and the Content committee. He is working on planning an animal marketing tour for the first day of the conference and assisting in recruiting presenters for the youth track. In addition, He is working on the logistics of the Exhibitors part of the conference and serve as the liaison for non-stationed items for the booth.
Kwamena Quagrainie
Bob Rode
Courtney Schmidt
Courtney Schmidt serves as the Agricultural & Natural Resource & Health & Human Sciences Educator in Miami County. She holds an Indiana casualty and property insurance license and has experience working with commercial and agribusiness clients in risk management.
Amy Shambach
Amy Shambach is Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant's (IISG) aquaculture marketing outreach associate who works with the aquaculture industry in the USDA’s North Central Regional Aquaculture Center. Her work focuses on the demand side of domestic farm raised seafood products. She provides outreach and extension services to producers, potential producers, and consumers. Along with Dr. Kwamena Quagrainie, producers, aquaculture associations, and consumers she works to determine the needs of stakeholders.
Ed Sheldon
Beth Vansickle
