Aberdeen Research and Extension Center Farm Crew

This is the best group of folks you could ever want to have around. If it's broken, they fix it; you need something made to order, they can design and build it; tell them how and where you want it planted and they plant it. They keep the crops growing, the water running, and the tractors working. They have remodeled the offices, pulled wires for networks, and replaced water lines.  We haven't found anything yet that they can't do.

From left to right, Back: Kevin Park, Juan Torres...Front: Armando Torres, Randy Gamble, Ramon Calzada, Roger Workman, Alan Summers, Denise Wedel, Les Howell, Dave Sorensen

Denise Wedel: Assistant Superintendent, Farm Operations Manager
Denise has the dubious honor of keeping all these guys busy and making sure that all requests and work orders are filled. She keeps track of what's been planted each and every year so the crop rotations are kept straight, and she juggles all the requests from projects to keep them happy as well. She also oversees the Foundation Seed Program on the station.

Randy Gamble: Farm Operations Foreman
Randy has worked at the station for over 20 year. He does whatever it takes to keep things running smoothly.

Leslie Howell: Maintenance Operations Supervisor
Les is what we call the "handyman" for the station. He keeps everything repaired and running smoothly. This isn't an easy job since some of the equipment here is so old it's held together with bubble gum and bailing wire. He's a wiz at coming up with whatever we want him to build, in whatever corner we need it to fit in. He does an excellent job of keeping the various projects happy, especially when most repairs are needed ASAP,.

Roger Workman: Area Maintenance Supervisor
Roger is responsible for grounds maintenance and keeping the buildings clean. However, it's more than just mowing lawns, raking leaves, and sweeping floors. He plants and cares for the beautiful flowers we enjoy every summer around the station. He keeps the yards looking spotless and cleans well enough to keep the office staff happy.

Alan Summers: Mechanic
Alan keeps all the equipment running smoothly. He completes work orders in a timely manner and is an excellent mechanic. Our old machinery thrives under Alan's care.

David Sorensen and Ramon Calzada: Farm Assistants
You name it and these guys do it. They drive tractors, plow fields, and plant seed. They also do construction work and help build some of the things needed around the station. Cleaning and bagging seed for the foundation seed program is another one of the projects taken care of by the farm crew.

Kevin Park, Juan Torres and Armando Torres: Farm Assistants
These guys keep the water flowing to all the crops we have around here. You can see them at almost any time of day zipping around on their ATVs, making sure everything is running smoothly. When the irrigation season is over, they pitch in with painting, cleaning seed, moving tables and chairs, and anything else needed to keep the station looking good.