Extension Team
Shelby County Agent Directory
Dr. Chris Cooper
Horticulture
Shelby County Director
University of Tennessee – Shelby County Extension
Extension Agent III
Agriculture and Natural Resources
901-752-1207
As an Extension Service’s Horticulture Agent, Chris is a familiar face to most in the program, having just started his ninth year in the county. Chris’s primary job, in addition to his work with the Master Gardener program, is to plan, develop, coordinate and conduct educational programs addressing issues that affect urban, commercial and home horticulture.
Master Gardeners can volunteer to help Chris conduct horticultural education programs and workshops and respond to the public’s questions through the Gardening Hotline. There are also opportunities to gather research-based information for programs, meet with homeowners, and present programs to the public. The most important skill needed is an interest in interacting with the public on a subject of expertise.
Jessica Maestas
Extension Consumer and Residential Horticulture Agent
Master Gardener Coordinator
As the Extension Consumer and Residential Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator, Jessica works with community members and volunteers to promote research-based gardening practices. In her role, she plans, develops, coordinates, and conducts educational programs that address issues affecting home landscapes, gardens, and urban horticulture. Jessica also leads and supports the Master Gardener program, guiding volunteers as they share horticulture knowledge and provide outreach throughout the community.
Tim Roberts
Youth Education
Tim works mostly with children and teens regarding agriculture, forestry, and natural resources. He interacts with grades K-12, adults, seniors and those county residents with special needs. Tim says the goal is to educate youth regarding the importance of agriculture (e.g., to let them know that milk doesn’t come from a jug at Kroger) and of forestry (e.g., to see past the trees to the products they use every day that come from trees). He works primarily in outdoor classrooms, including the Agricenter amphitheater. In addition to state funding, Tim’s programs are supported by agribusinesses that help subsidize the cost of transporting students from throughout west Tennessee, north Mississippi and eastern Arkansas to the Agricenter.
Volunteers are needed to help prepare materials for educational programs and to even help lead programs for some groups. Master Gardeners can also serve as tour guides, plan some programs, serve on the Plant Camp Planning Committee and donate recyclable items such as milk jugs, drink bottles, and plastic containers for programs. Many of Tim’s programs are in the September through mid-November timeframe, but more are now being held in the spring, as well. Most of the programs are held at the Agricenter. The only skill required is an interest in educating youth and sharing your knowledge about plants with them.
Jo Anne Waterman
Urban Gardens & Small Farms
Tennessee State University Extension
Extension Agent I
Urban Gardens & Small Farms
901-752-1207
Jo Anne primarily works with Urban Gardeners and the Small Farmers community. She mentors them and assists them in getting their gardens started by teaching them the growing cycle from “the ground up”, educating them on soil sampling and preparation. She educates small farmers and home gardeners on the latest practices needed to solve problems and improve production. She also conducts presentations at public and charter schools, community centers, nursing homes, independent living centers, churches and other organizations. Jo Anne often says “teach me to garden and I’ll grow food for a lifetime.”
Master Gardeners can also help the community by sharing gardening tips and teaching families how to grow food in containers. The community may also be taught to enhance their food supply through community gardens, demonstration techniques, and presentations.
Extension works with local governments, community leaders, families, and individuals to address problems and issues that help improve people’s lives. Extension is engaged in a broad range of educational programs in agriculture, community resource development, nutrition, health, family issues, lawn and garden, and youth development.
The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.