Mission:

To develop fruit and vegetable crops as alternatives which can be economically grown and marketed from southern Ohio and beyond to greatly enhance the income of Ohio family farms through applied research in both production and marketing.

Dr. Gary Gao, Extension specialist for small fruit crops and associate professor, primarily conducts applied research and extension programs in the areas of blackberries and raspberries, blueberries, currants and gooseberries, and winegrapes.

Mr. Brad Bergefurd, Extension specialist for horticulture, conducts research and extension programs in vegetable crops and plasticulture strawberries.

For additional Horticulture staff, please see the directory.   

Please visit our individual pages for more information. You are also welcome to contact Charissa Gardner to be placed in our email lists for upcoming programs and newsletters.