James Barnhill
James was raised in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. In addition to farm work, he has worked as a field man for Stukenholtz Laboratories in Twin Falls, as a research assistant to the Utah State Extension Agronomist, as a Sales Representative for US Steel Farm Service Center, and as a District Ag Inspector for the Utah Department of Agriculture. For the last 23 years he has been employed by Utah State University Extension. His first assignment with Extension was an Agriculture and 4-H Agent in Salt Lake County. He then transferred to Weber County covering Agriculture and Horticulture. Two years ago he took on the added responsibility of being the Extension Agent for Morgan County.
James’ most significant impacts are with individual agricultural producers. Each year he makes an average of 226 farm visits and helps 193 people in his office. He usually makes 17 group presentation and conducts or facilities 16 programs. His total face-to-face contacts average 3,050 per year, plus answering 823 phone requests for information.
James has developed a close relationship with many of the producer and they place a great deal of trust in his suggestions. A producer reported that through the implementation of a change in irrigation management, which James had suggested, his alfalfa production had increased by 30 percent, resulting in an additional $5,400 from that field. Another producer called the office to announce that by following the fertility management adjustments recommended by James, his grain corn production has risen from 180 bushels to 210 bushels per acres. This was the highest yield he had ever achieved and amounted to an increased income of $270 per acre.
Participating in field trials and research helps James stay up-to-date on the latest production practices and gives him hands on experience with what the producers are dealing with. He conducts 3 to 6 applied projects each year. Last year he conducted a nutrient survey for 38 fields from 10 northern Utah counties, ran an orchard pest monitoring program, conducted an alfalfa weevil control trial, facilitated a dodder control trial, and monitored numerous biological weed control releases.
James’ publications include 4 refereed journal articles, 15 presentations at professional meetings, 4 posters, 22 fact sheets and 13 non-reviewed publications. He served as the coordinator for the development of the “Small Pasture Management Guide,” which was first printed in 1999. He has led that guide through two revisions since then and a total of 27,000 copies have been printed. In addition to being widely used in Utah, this publication is used by several other western states.
The total grants and donations that James has received during the past 8 years sum to $136,177.
James has done much more to help people and says he enjoys it!