By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — Bronc Finch, the newest soil fertility specialist to join the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, said he is excited to work with colleagues and county agents to help growers in the state.
WELCOME TO EXTENSION — Bronc Finch is the newest soil fertility specialist to join the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's Cooperative Extension Service. Bronc received his Ph.D. in Soil Science from Oklahoma State University and said he looks forward to helping county agents improve forage and pasture production (Division of Agriculture photo.)
“I look forward to the opportunity to work with other specialists and county agents in addressing soil fertility management for Arkansas producers and those in the surrounding region,” Finch said.
Mike Daniels, Extension Associate Department Head for Crops, Soils and Environmental Sciences, said Finch “brings a wealth of expertise and practical experience in soil fertility, especially with regard to forages, which is and has been an increasing need across the state.”
Finch said his program will primarily focus on “addressing the soil fertility management interests of forage and pasture producers through extension demonstrations and applied research.”
“I also aim to evaluate and provide education about fertility management strategies that will sustain and improve forage and pasture production,” Finch said.
In 2015, Finch received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education from West Texas A&M University, where he later received his Master of Science in Agriculture in 2019. He received his Ph.D. in Soil Science in 2021 from Oklahoma State University, with an emphasis in soil nutrient management.
Daniels said a “large portion” of Finch’s work at Oklahoma State University focused on “forage nutrient management and forage cover cropping in winter wheat grazing systems” in the state.
“However, during his graduate studies, Bronc managed trials in various cropping systems, which he feels has built a strong background that will be effective in assisting producers in Arkansas and surrounding states,” Daniels said.
Finch began his new extension role on Nov. 28. He can be reached at bfinch@uada.edu. For more information about extension crops, soils and environmental sciences resources, visit the Arkansas Environment and Natural Resources website.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.