Four new agronomists serving agricultural interests in N.C.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced four new agronomists and the areas they will be serving. Some agronomists had worked previously with the Agronomic Services Division, but in different regions. In addition, two service areas in the mountain counties have changed.
All North Carolina growers have access to the advisory services of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services through a regionally based network of agronomists. Regional agronomists provide advice on crop fertilization, nutrient management, lime needs, soil testing, plant tissue analysis, use of animal wastes and composts, nematode assay, and testing of source water and nutrient solutions.
Following are the agronomists and a list of their service areas.
-- Perquimans County native Adam Lassiter has been named regional agronomist serving growers in Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties.
Lassiter holds associate’s degrees in general agriculture and agribusiness management from N.C. State University, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education from N.C. A&T State University.
Growers interested in arranging a consultation with Lassiter can contact him at 252-373-5931 or at adam.lassiter@ncagr.gov.
-- Chris Leek has been hired as the regional agronomist for Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Swain and Yancey counties. He is based at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville.
A lifelong resident of the North Carolina mountains, Leek holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He has extensive experience managing horticultural crops such as broccoli, lettuce, cucurbits, peppers, tomatoes and Christmas trees.
To contact Leek, call 828-507-8671 or email at richard.leek@ncagr.gov.
-- Robeson County native Georgia Love has been named regional agronomist serving growers in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties.
Love is a graduate of N.C. State University with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in crop science.
Growers can contact Love at 910-690-0270 or email at georgia.love@ncagr.gov.
-- Mike Wilder has been hired to help growers in Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, Vance and Warren counties manage nutrient-related crop issues.
The Franklin County resident holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education with a minor in agricultural engineering from N.C. State University.
Growers can contact Wilder at 919-495-7495 or email at mike.wilder@ncagr.gov.
Recently, the department’s Agronomic Services Division implemented a change in the assignments of two mountain counties. McDowell County is now part of Region 12, which is handled by Dwayne Tate, and Catawba County is now part of Region 14, which is covered by Steve Dillon.
Tate, who will now cover Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Mitchell, Watauga and Wilkes counties, holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Berea College in Kentucky.
Tate can be reached at 828-443-5281 or at dwayne.tate@ncagr.gov.
Dillon, who will now cover Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Henderson, Lincoln, Polk, Rutherford and Transylvania counties, holds a master’s degree in soil science from N.C. State University. He has worked as an agronomist with the department since 1998.
Growers can contact Dillon at 704-276-1989 or at steve.dillon@ncagr.gov.
