Kevin Madden began April 30 as farm manager at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center (SAREC) near Lingle.
Madden brings experience as an owner, operator and manager of a family production farm and ranch in Potter, Nebraska, said SAREC director John Tanaka.
Madden will manage irrigated and dryland crops, rangelands, and livestock at SAREC. He will also help coordinate off-site research and extension activities on the center.
“He is a good fit,” Tanaka said.
SAREC is now growing corn, sugar beets, wheat, dry beans, alfalfa, millet and barley, as well as pollinator flowers, cool season grasses, quinoa, fenugreek and cover crops.
A small cow-calf herd and feed cattle are maintained at SAREC for livestock research, including blue tongue disease in cattle and several feed efficiency trials.
“In Nebraska, Madden produced similar crops on dryland and center pivot irrigated acres similar in size to SAREC,” said Tanaka. “He raised livestock as a commercial cow calf producer, small feeder, and breeder of American Quarter Horses for ranch work and pleasure,” he said.
Madden earned a diploma in center pivot sprinkler irrigation service/installation from Western Nebraska Technical College in Sidney and holds a Nebraska special electrician irrigation equipment license. He has also worked as a federal crop insurance adjuster.
Madden’s involvement with youth programs includes 4-H, Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination programs to promote creative and critical thinking, and the Cheyenne County, Neb., fair and rodeo royalty program.
For more information, contact Madden at 307-837-2000 or kmadden1@uwyo.edu.
Source: University of Wyoming Extension
