Our Team

Nathan Shoaf earned his Ph.D. in Forestry and Natural Resources and his M.S. in Horticulture from Purdue University. His research interests center on soil health, soil remediation, contaminant fate and transport, risk perception, and science communication, with a particular focus on urban agriculture and specialty crop production. Drawing on this research, Nathan works collaboratively with stakeholders, Extension professionals, and Purdue faculty to strengthen statewide Extension programming and develop practical, research-based educational resources for diverse audiences.

Ashley Adair is the Extension Organic Agriculture Specialist at Purdue University. In her role, she assists a broad range of organic growers around the state of Indiana with organic management and certification issues. She covers all types of organic crops, ranging from grain to fruits and vegetables. She also coordinates with researchers at Purdue and beyond to address the many questions that organic growers find themselves asking while practicing organic methods. She is involved in organizing Purdue Extension events that serve organic farmers, including the Indiana Organic Grain Farmer Meeting and the Indiana Small Farm Conference.

James Wolff is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator in Allen County. He works with a variety of agricultural issues and focuses on beginning farmers, farmers markets, urban agriculture, site assessment, and hops production.

Veronica Bullock serves as the Agricultural & Natural Resource Educator and County Extension Director in Franklin County, providing programming, expertise, and researched based knowledge to the local community and community agencies focusing on the areas of natural resource conservation, horticulture, field crops, and farm management.

Phillip Cox is the Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator in Vermillion County. He is on the Indiana Small Farm Conference team and has served on the Trade Show subcommittee for the past several years. He also coordinates programming that includes such topics as pesticide safety, native plants, invasive species, gardening, natural resources, farming, wildlife management, and forestry.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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 works with vegetable farmers on production issues in the field and high tunnel, including stand establishment, transplant production, cultural practices, irrigation, soil fertility and plant mineral nutrition, and variety selection.

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.

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 holds a joint appointment in Agricultural Economics Dept (70%) and Forestry and Natural Resources Dept (30%). He is also affiliated with the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant program as Aquaculture Economist & Marketing Specialist. He works with the aquaculture / aquaponics industries in Illinois and Indiana, aquaculture producers, aquaculture associations, distributors, restaurants, and consumers to develop viable markets for Indiana and Illinois farm-raised aquaculture products.

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 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 is the Engagement Coordinator for the Indiana and national AgrAbility projects, supporting farmers, agricultural workers, and  families impacted by disability.  He also conducts farm safety and rural emergency preparedness extension and outreach efforts.

Beth Vansickle is based in Madison County. She coordinates programming that includes such topics on gardening, beginning livestock and production livestock.