ISFOP staff biographical information

Dr. Kamalendu B. Paul serves as a Professor of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and a State Extension Specialist with the Lincoln University of Missouri. He received his undergraduate education in India, M.S. in Plant & Soil Science from Tuskegee University in Alabama, and Ph. D. in Biology (Plant Physiology) from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He was involved in classroom teaching and field research for approximately 15 years, before he got involved in international development work in the mid-1980s. During his 12 plus years stint in Africa, he has served in various capacities in 14 countries. He first worked in Rwanda as a farming systems agronomist for over three years. His subsequent assignments were as follows: Regional Agriculture and Natural Resources Advisor with USAID’s REDSO/ESA in Nairobi; Chief-of-Party for the Natural Resources Management Project in the Republic of Guinea; and Project Manager for the Makerere University Biological Field Station (MUBFS) Project located in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Upon return to Lincoln University in 1998, he taught Introduction to Natural Resources, and Soil and Water Conservation & Management courses for two years. He presently serves as the Leader of the Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program (ISFOP), and as the Co-Coordinator for the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NCR-SARE) program for the state of Missouri.  He mentors several junior faculty, and reviews grant proposals for USDA and other governmental agencies.

Dr. Sanjun Gu is an Assistant Professor and State Horticulture Specialist from Cooperative Research and Extension, with a split appointment of 75% extension and 25% research. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Vegetable Crops from Shandong Agricultural University,  MS Degree in Vegetable Breeding and Tissue Culture from China Agricultural University, and Ph.D. in Viticulture and Forestry from University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL, 2003). Dr. Gu joined Lincoln University in 2008 with state-wide responsibility for commercial vegetable and small fruit production. Prior to that, he did one year post-doc on gene transformation in soybeans at UNL and then had been the Viticulture Program leader at Kentucky State University. His research interests include vegetable grafting and vegetable production in high-tunnels and other solar plastic greenhouses, as well as new variety trials.

Katie Nixon graduated from Western Washington University in 2001 with a Degree in Permaculture Design and Environmental Education. She went on to study Sustainable Agriculture in New Zealand and received a Sustainable Land Use Management degree from Earthcare Education Aotearoa in 2002. For the past 7 years she has been working in the sustainable agriculture field in many countries around the world including the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa. She has recently settled back to her hometown of Kansas City and re-immersed herself into the agricultural network of Missouri. Working for the ISFOP as a Small Farm Specialist for the West Central Region has been a great way to tie all of her experiences with community development and food production together. She constantly explores networking opportunities with other organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, in the greater Kansas City area and the surrounding counties for bringing all possible assistance to the farmers and home gardeners living there. She delivers information and education to the under-served small farmers and ranchers on a one-on-one basis in order for them to improve production and farm income. She receives valuable assistance from three other ISFOP Farm Outreach Workers (FOWs) in the region. Together, they hope to improve the quality of lives of all collaborating farm families, as well as revitalize the communities.

Trish Grim received a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics from Truman State University in 2003. Since graduating she has worked on a number of small farms in both Missouri and Illinois. In 2005, she co-founded New Roots Urban Farm in St. Louis, MO. She spent four years there as the farm manager selling produces at local farmers markets and through the farm’s subscription program. Her background at New Roots includes jobs training/horticulture therapy with homeless clients from the downtown area, grant collaborations with area non-profits, co-managing a low-income farmers market, and educational programming for both youth and adults on food production. She and her husband still farm; growing micro-greens and vegetables for market and restaurant sales. As the East Central Regional Small Farm Specialist, she works one on one with area small farmers through initial farm visits and follow-up technical advice. LU has recently collaborated with MUE to offer the 10-week course “Grow Your Farm”. In this course, Trish Grim and Dean Wilson bring together established small farmers, Extension personnel and beginning farmers to create a dynamic environment where ideas, information and resources are exchanged. Contact Trish if you would like to know how ISFOP can help you.

Vonna Kesel was born and raised in the beautiful town of Westphalia, MO.  "I now reside in another beautiful little town called Saint Elizabeth with my husband Mark. We have three wonderful children, James 23, Megan 19 and Sarah 17.  I left Lincoln University after 15 years of employment to pursue another occupation which I left after 8 years to return to my “home” which is Lincoln University, and I am very pleased that I have done so."