InfoAg 2009

V. Philip Rasmussen is coordinator of the Western Regional Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and is an Assistant Director in both the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service at Utah State University. Prior to being appointed as coordinator of the Western SARE Program, Dr. Rasmussen was recently(1996) appointed head of the Plants, Soils & Biometeorology Department at Utah State University. Dr. Rasmussen received his BS in Soil Science with a minor in Physics in 1974. He was a Phi-Kappa-Phi honoree. Phil received his MS at Utah State University in Soil Physics in 1976. He completed his Ph.D. in Soil Physics and Microclimatology at Kansas State University in 1979. He completed the Kellogg Foundation -- USDA "NELD" (National Extension Leadership Development) Fellowship in 1994. Phil joined the faculty at Utah State University in 1981 as an extension soil specialist. He rapidly gained the nickname "No-Till Phil" in Utah for his "Johnny Appleseed" approach to scattering reduced-tillage research and demonstration plots across the state on "on-farm" research plots. Phil is also well-known for his expertise in microcomputer and electronics applications in agriculture. He developed the USU College of Agriculture computer laboratory and has invented a new type of microwave soil moisture sensor. Phil is an avid "Ham" (Amateur) radio operator and has pioneered the use of digital radio and computer technology in agricultural control systems. Phil received USU's highest Extension award (the E.G. Peterson award) at graduation ceremonies in 1990. He is a member of numerous regional and national sustainable agriculture committees, including the national Sustainable Agriculture Network.