Watson to Lead Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs

Jack Watson is the newly appointed state program leader for agriculture and natural resources with Penn State Cooperative Extension and Outreach. As state program leader, he provides leadership and support for statewide educational programs on all aspects of animal and plant agriculture, horticulture, and natural resource issues. Watson, who also holds a faculty position in the Department of Agronomy, works closely with administrators, academic department heads, regional extension directors, faculty, and county extension agents, as well as academic and outreach programs throughout the University. Before joining Penn State, Watson worked at the University of Arizona, starting in 1984 as a postdoctoral research associate. By 1996, he'd moved up the ranks from assistant extension specialist to extension specialist and research scientist. Before coming to the University of Arizona, Watson worked as a research scientist in Canberra, Australia. He earned a bachelor's degree in education/mathematics from Kent State University in 1973. He continued his education at the University of Arizona, earning a master's degree in 1979 and a doctorate in 1982 both in soil and water science. Penn State Agriculture recently spoke with Watson about his new position.

I'm from southeast Ohio, near Steubenville. My wife, Judy, grew up in Youngstown. As a young girl, she lived in Pennsylvania and now her parents are back in Pittsburgh.

During my doctorate, I was oriented toward theory. Then, in Australia, I tried to take theory and validate it through experimentation. When I accepted the water quality specialist position, I didn't know what to expect beyond the fact that we can apply science to solve problems, which intrigued me. Then, for three years, I was housed in a county extension office. A couple of agents took me under their wings and really taught me what extension's all about. For most of the past 14 years, I've felt there's probably no better faculty position than extension specialist.

After I get settled, I intend to visit the county offices, get to know the agents, academic departments, agricultural industry groups, and become acquainted with department heads, faculty specialists, and industry leaders. I also want to get to know the people who represent the state government departments involved with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental quality. A lot of my first year will involve getting to know new people, finding out what they like to do, what they're good at, and identifying the critical issues in Pennsylvania agriculture.

What do you do for fun?

Judy and I like to tour around. We were in Pennsylvania for four or five days before my second series of interviews. We really enjoyed the fact that, wherever we were, we could get in the car and be in the countryside within 10 minutes. In the Phoenix metro area, you have to drive for 45 minutes just to get out of the city.

Will you miss the metropolitan area?

Jason might miss the easy access to professional sports. Judy and I are looking forward to the natural beauty of the area and much shorter commutes. And I look forward to rooting for Penn State against the Arizona Wildcats.

-- Kim Dionis