A team of 17 instructors from across the country have been selected to teach the course materials. These individuals not only have academic credentials in their topic areas, but considerable practical experience as well.

Robert T. Burns, Ph.D., P.E.
Associate Professor - Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University
Dr. Burns has 15 years of experience in environmental and agricultural engineering. Dr. Burns holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering, M.S. in Environmental Engineering and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from The University of Tennessee. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Tennessee.

Galen Erickson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor - Animal Science - University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Dr. Erickson received a B.S. degree from Iowa State University and has an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He research and extension programming efforts focusing on the impacts of diet on environmental challenges facing beef feedlots.

Richard S. Gates, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor - Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky
Dr. Gates has more than 25 years of experience in agricultural engineering. Dr. Gates holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Minnesota, an M.S. in Agricultural Engineering and a Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from Cornell University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Kentucky.

George Grandle, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & Interim Head - Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee
Dr. Grandle has over 35 years of experience in planning livestock production systems. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering from The University of Tennessee.

Billy Hartsell, P.E.
State Conservation Engineer, Natural Resources Conservation Service, KY
Mr. Hartsell has more than 35 years experience as an engineer with SCS/NRCS in Mississippi and Kentucky. He received a B.S. degree from Mississippi State University and is a licensed engineer in Mississippi and Kentucky.

Darren Hickman, M.S., P.E.
National Environmental Engineer, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Mr. Hickman has six years experience with a private civil engineering firm and more than 15 years as an agricultural and environmental engineer for USDA/NRCS. He received his B.S. and an M.S.C.E. degreeâ??s from Oklahoma State University. He is registered as a Professional Engineer in Oklahoma.

Richard M. Hodupp, M.S., C.C.A.
Private Consultant, TN
Mr. Hodupp has 10 years of experience in pesticide research and development, 15 years experience as an Agricultural Extension Agent and 6 years experience as a private consultant and Technical Service Provider. He received his B.S. in Agricultural Education from Purdue University and an M.S. in Horticulture from Michigan State University.

Barry Kintzer, P.E.
Engineering Consultant, VA
Mr. Kintzer has more than 30 years of experience as an agricultural and environmental engineer for USDA/NRCS. He received his B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He is a registered P.E. in Illinois and Virginia.

Brandon Moffatt
Associate, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates Agricultural Service Group
Mr. Moffatt has a B.S in Environmental Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from the University of Windsor. He has experience in management systems, conservation practices, and development of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans. He currently co-manages CRAs Agricultural Service Group.

Lara Moody, M.S., P.E.
Extension Program Specialist - Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University
Mrs. Moody has nine years experience in agricultural engineering and nutrient management for animal feeding operations. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering from the University of Tennessee. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Iowa.

Gary Moore
District Conservationist - Natural Resources Conservation Service, TN
Mr. Moore has 31 years of experience as a soil conservationist with NRCS. He has a B.S. degree in Plant and Soil Science from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Saqib Mukhtar, Ph.D., P.E.
Associate Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer - Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University
Dr. Mukhtar has 19 years of experience in the area of animal waste management to protect air and water quality. He has a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering with a minor in Water Resources from Iowa State University. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas.

Natalie Rector
Field Crops Agent-Michigan State University Extension
Ms. Rector has 22 years of experience as a multi-County Extension Field Crops Agent in south central Michigan and has spent the last 6 years on state-wide responsibilities for manure nutrient management for MSU Extension. She has a B.S. in Crop and Soil Science and an M.S. in Natural Resources from Michigan State University.

Michael Sexton
CNMP Certified TSP
Mr. Sexton has over 25 years of experience in production livestock and row crop agriculture. Mr. Sexton has written over 200 NMPs, CNMPs, State Permits, and NPDES Permits in Iowa and Wisconsin.

Kenneth Stalder, Ph.D.
Associate Professor- Animal Science, Iowa State University
Dr. Stalder has 15 years of experience in swine production and genetics. He has a B.S. in Animal Science from Iowa State University, an M.S. in Agriculture from Western Kentucky University, and a Ph.D. in Animal Breeding and Genetics from Iowa State University. His research focuses on management and genetic factors to improve the profitability of pork production.

Mark Waggoner
State Resource Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, KY
Mr. Waggoner has over 30 years of experience with NRCS. He has a B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Kentucky. Mr. Waggoner has held multiple positions within NRCS including work at field, area, state, and national headquarters.
Lori Ziehr, M.S., C.C.A.
Conservation Agronomist - Natural Resources Conservation Service, TX
Mrs. Ziehr has 13 years of experience in soil conservation and nutrient management. She holds a B.S. in Rangeland Ecology and Management from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in Ecology from Texas Tech University.