By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension has welcomed Oluwakorede (Korede) Olugbenle as a new conservation agronomy educator in southeast Michigan. Based in Lenawee County, he will assist farmers in Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe, and Wayne counties with conservation agriculture practices.
Olugbenle earned his master’s in Agroecology and PhD in Agronomy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focused on Kernza intermediate wheatgrass (IWG), a dual-use grain and forage crop with conservation benefits. His work explored planting dates, row spacing, plant density, and crop rotations for improving IWG management.
“Working with Kernza was amazing,” Olugbenle said. “Some see it as an experimental crop, others as a transition to organic farming, and some as a future high-yielding, environmentally beneficial crop.”
In his new role, Olugbenle will provide educational programming on conservation practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, fertility management, and perennial cropping systems. His outreach efforts will include in-person and virtual meetings, field days, digital materials, and on-farm consultations.
“Each farm and farmer are unique,” Olugbenle said. “Having multiple conservation solutions helps address different challenges effectively.”
Excited about his new role, Olugbenle looks forward to engaging directly with farmers, researchers, and agriculture organizations to promote sustainable practices.
When not working, he enjoys ice skating, watching movies, reading, and supporting Arsenal FC. Farmers can reach him at olugbenl@msu.edu for assistance with conservation cropping systems.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu-extension
Categories: Michigan, Sustainable Agriculture