Brian Olson

Extension

·    Provide leadership for research field days, producer meetings, stakeholder visits, tours, demonstrations, and educational programs addressing crop production, irrigation management, water conservation, forages, livestock systems, and agricultural profitability.

·    Engage farmers, crop consultants, commodity organizations, agricultural businesses, state and federal agencies, local communities, and university leaders to identify needs and align research and Extension priorities.

·    Promote translation of research findings into practical recommendations, decision-support resources, reports, presentations, and demonstrations that can be used by Kansas producers and agricultural professionals.

·    Support KSU-TAPS and related experiential programs that connect producers, researchers, students, and industry partners through real-world management decisions and comparative production outcomes.

·    Advocate for the role of western Kansas research centers as trusted sources of locally relevant, science-based information for producers, communities, policymakers, and university partners.

·    From May 2005 through September 2009, delivered 225 presentations at 175 meetings and 131 field days, recorded 14,464 stakeholder contacts, and participated in 151 radio programs; Cover Your Acres evaluations showed that 91% to 94% of surveyed farmers learned information expected to improve their operations.

Service

·    American Society of Agronomy

o  2018-2022: Coordinated Bayer Crop Science funding and activities at the annual meeting

o  2021 and 2022: Nominations Review Committee for ASA President

o  2021: Encompass Fellows/Scholars Program Committee to promote diversity

o  2020: Education and Extension Section Chair

o  2017: Advancing Agronomy via Public-Private Collaboration Community Leader

o  2017: Crop Irrigation Strategies and Management Community Leader

o  Served as a graduate and undergraduate poster judge on multiple occasions

·    Co-developed the American Society of Agronomy Encompass Fellows and Scholars program supporting diversity and inclusion efforts within the society and Bayer.

·    Co-managed the 2018 North Central and Western Society of Weed Science student contest involving 12 universities, 82 students, 19 teams, and 77 volunteers.

·    Served the Western Society of Weed Science Public Relations Committee from 2004 to 2009, including as chair from 2005 to 2007, and the Site Selection Committee from 2006 to 2009, including as chair from 2007 to 2008.

·    Chaired the American Society of Agronomy Educational Materials Awards Committee for audiovisual materials from 2005 to 2007 and participated in multi-state High Plains research coordination through the Tear Down the Walls group.

·    Served as K-State representative to the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and Kansas Corn, strengthening connections between university programs and commodity leadership.