Introducing: Jeff Stachler

Hello! I’m Jeff Stachler, the new NDSU Extension Cropping Systems Specialist at the Carrington Research Extension Center. I started this assignment on October 1, 2024.

I grew up on a swine, dairy, and diversified crop farm in west central Ohio, where agriculture runs the economy. I received a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University in Agronomy in 1992, my Master’s from Michigan State University in Weed Science in 1995, and my Ph. D. from The Ohio State University in Weed Science in 2008.

I have worked for over 22 years in Extension, at The Ohio State University and North Dakota State University, in both county and state level positions in both states. Most recently, I was the NDSU Extension Griggs County Agriculture and Natural Resources and 4-H Youth Development Agent from September 2020 until September 2024. As the Extension agent in Griggs County, I conducted an annual weed survey in soybean and wheat, conducted research trials, prepared a nearly-weekly agriculture newsletter and a weekly column for the Griggs County Courier, increased the 4-H enrollment while there and coached state winning Agronomy contest and Range Judging contest teams.

I’m currently the ND 4-H Plant Science Committee chairperson. This team is responsible for organizing the state 4-H Agronomy, Range Judging, and Land Judging contests, providing input in plant science exhibits at the North Dakota State Fair, and providing resources for 4-H Plant Science programs. I’m also involved with organizing the plant and seed identification portion of the National FFA Agronomy Contest.

I’m helping lead the planning of the Getting It Right Crop Production webinar series and the Advanced Crop Advisers Workshop. I have already delivered presentations at the Central Dakota Ag Days, Wells County Better Seed and Grain Winter Show, and the Getting It Right Corn Production webinar. I will be speaking next week at the 2025 Winter Ag and Construction Expo in Jamestown January 17. Other meetings I will be speaking at this winter include the Soil Water Workshop January 22 in Fargo, the Getting It Right Sunflower Production webinar on January 30, the Advanced Crop Advisers Workshop in Fargo February 11 and 12, the International Crop Expo in Grand Forks on February 19 and 20, and some county pesticide education meetings.

My role at the CREC is to assist county agents in the south-central and southeast parts of the state with agronomic topics, assist CREC agronomy scientists by sharing research data, assist NDSU Extension state specialists in sharing information with farmers and agriculturalists, assist in organizing regional and statewide Extension meetings, conduct research on pertinent agronomic issues, and assist with statewide 4-H Plant Science activities.

In my free time, I love to garden. That includes participating in the NDSU Extension Home Garden Variety Trials and sharing excess food with others. I am also involved in Church activities. My wife Rhonda and I live in Cooperstown, ND. Rhonda has five children and I have two children: Nathan farms near Osnabrock, ND and Lahni started January 6, 2025 as the NDSU Extension Cavalier County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, making her a third generation Extension employee.

If you have any agronomic question, please contact me at 701-652-2951 or jeff.stachler@ndsu.edu.

Jeff Stachler, Ph. D.
Jeff.Stachler@ndsu.edu
Extension Cropping Systems Specialist