Title: Assistant Extension Professor and Forage Educator
Company: The University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Location: Orono, Maine, United States
Jaime Garzon, assistant extension professor and forage educator at The University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in education and agriculture.
With over a decade of experience to his credit, Dr. Garzon has established a successful career in education and agriculture, specializing in regenerative forage management, soil health, climate-smart practices in grasslands, forage science, and pasture management. He currently excels as the assistant extension professor of forage education at The University of Maine Cooperative Extension, a position he has held since 2022. His experience also includes professional work at the Animal Nutrition Laboratory, Universidad Nacional de Colombia from 2018, support professional in animal science curriculum at the same university from 2016 to 2017, graduate research and teaching assistant at Universidad Nacional de Colombia from 2012 to 2017, and as a support and research professional in graduate self-assessment there in 2016. Earlier in his career, he was a student assistant in pastures and forages at Universidad Nacional de Colombia from 2009 to 2010, a research intern in animal sciences at the North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida from 2017 to 2018, a graduate intern in animal production at INIA Uruguay in 2012, and an intern in forage management at Centro Agropecuario Marengo from 2010 to 2011. He holds memberships with the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Golden Key International Honour Society, and Latinoamerican Association of Animal Production.
Dr. Garzon’s volunteer work includes contributions to the Bangor Humane Society in 2023, Instituto Distrital de Bienestar y Proteccion Animal in 2018, and serving as a volunteer teacher in the Animal Production Department at Universidad Nacional de Colombia from 2014 to 2017. Additionally, he volunteered with newborn animals in rehabilitation at Unidad de Rescate y Rehabilitacion de Animales Silvestres in 2004 and engaged in pedagogy at Centro de Rehabilitación de Bogotá in 2002. In light of his impressive undertakings, he was honored with the Gerald O. Mott Award from the Crop Science Society of America in 2023, The Finish Line Award from the University of Florida in 2022, and a Fulbright Program Scholarship from Fulbright-ICETEX from 2017 to 2022. He also received first place in the Robert F. Barnes PhD Oral Competition from the Crop Science Society of America in 2020, was a finalist in the Wide Student Competition with the same organization in 2020, earned the Grinter Award from the University of Florida from 2018 to 2019 and the Outstanding Postgraduate Student Scholarship from Universidad Nacional de Colombia in 2014.
Laying a solid educational foundation for these successes, he earned a Bachelor of Science in animal sciences from Universidad Nacional de Colombia in 2011, a Master of Science in animal production from Universidad Nacional de Colombia in 2018, and a PhD in agronomy from the University of Florida in 2022. He attributes his success to the people in his life, as his parents kickstarted his journey in animal sciences, and his university professors provided invaluable guidance along the way. In the coming years, he plans to expand his extension program in Maine, recognizing the need for practical, hands-on experience to enhance his efficiency and effectiveness as an extension agent. He also aspires to uphold his commitment to collaborating with producers through the sustained execution of annual events such as the Maine Hay Contest and integrating this contest with the upcoming Maine Forage Conference. He also aspires to initiate an internship program with Latino countries.
For more information, please visit:
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension – Jamie Garzon
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