Jody Gale
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Extension Associate Professor | Agriculture Economic Development | Sevier County

Contact Information
Office Location: Sevier CountyPhone: (435) 893-0470
Email: jody.gale@usu.edu
Additional Information:
Educational Background
Biography
BIOGRAPHY: Jody A. Gale is an Extension faculty member at Utah State University in the Extension Ag. and Nat. Res. Dept. He has worked for Extension for 34 years. He has a split appointment in Sevier County (≈60%) and Central Southwest Area (≈40%) where he has taught for 25 years. His previous appointment was Extension Faculty in Millard County for nine years. He received a MS degree in Plant Science from Utah State University in 1988. His graduate research studied predictive modeling of optimal harvest time of alfalfa. He received a BS degree in Plant Science, with a minor in biology, from Utah State University in 1986. He also received an AAS degree in Building Construction from Utah Valley University in 1982. Prior to his university career he worked in residential and commercial building construction for 12 years. He is an agronomist by training and practice, and an agricultural economic developer and natural resource public program provider by practice. His prioritized needs-based county agronomic and horticultural programs, interests and research include, optimizing use of irrigation water, profitable soil fertility, crop rotation, invasive noxious weed management, blue alfalfa aphid management, gardening and tree care. His prioritized needs-based area programs, interests and research include, agricultural economic and community development, partnerships in government, natural resource and public land issues, aspen herbivory and collaborations, elected official education, congressional member and staff education, Utah legislator education, and forage marketing dairy relocation. His early life experiences included working on Kerksiek Farm and Nursery, and his grandfather’s farm. His early work experience included working as skilled labor in residential and commercial building construction. He and his wife, Cindy E. Gale, have six children, sixteen grandchildren. Their family centered interests include, Esplin Farm and Cattle Ranch Nephi, Utah, gardening, fishing, hunting, hiking, ATV trail riding, and photography. Contact: USU Extension, 250 N. Main, Sevier County Adm. Bldg., Richfield, UT 84701, Office: 435.893.0470, Cell: 435.979.4790, FAX: 435.893.0493, email jody.gale@usu.edu.
Teaching Interests
TEACHING INTERESTS: Make a significant contribution to the quality of life of people through education. Extend educational research-based resources of Utah State University and the Land Grant University system to people. Determine needs vs. wants. Focus programs on identified local higher priority needs. 1. Educate the people of Sevier County by responding to their local agronomy and horticultural needs. 2. Educate the people in Central Southwest Utah Area by responding to their local agricultural economic and community development, and natural resource public land issue needs. Develop and provide Extension programs that are educational, practical, economically viable, environmentally responsible, and culturally sensitive to help sustain people, families, businesses and communities.
Research Interests
RESEARCH INTERESTS
COUNTY: Optimizing use of irrigation water, profitable soil fertility, crop rotation, invasive noxious weed management, blue alfalfa aphid management, gardening and tree care.
AREA: Agricultural economic and community development, partnerships in government, natural resource and public land issues, aspen herbivory and collaboration, elected official education, congressional member and staff education, Utah legislator education, and forage marketing dairy relocation.
Awards
USFS Chief Honor Award , 2017
USDA - US Forest Service, Chief Tony Tooke
Innovation Award, 2017
National Association of Development Orginizations (NADO)
Rural Honors Award, 2017
Utah Center for Rural Life - Southern Utah University
Communications Award: Video Recordings, 2017
National Association of County Agricultural Agents
Distinguished Service , 2016
National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
Distinguished Service, 2014
Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) - Iota Chapter, National Honorary Extension Fraternity
Appreciation – Lifetime Agriculture Supporter, 2021
Sevier County Conservation District
Recognition – Western Region Vice Chairman Natural Resources/Aquaculture/Sea Grant Committee, 2019
National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
Recognition – Western Region Vice Chairman Ag. Econ. & Comm. Dev. Committee, 2019
National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
Achievement Award - Search for Excellence in Environmental Quality, Forestry, and Natural Resources, 2019
National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
Sterling Scholar Judge – Agriculture, 2019
Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars of Central Utah
2019 Extension Agent Team Award, 2019
Utah State University Extension Specialist Association
Certificate of Service - 30 Years, 2019
Utah State University Extension, Logan, Utah
Top 10 Videos of 2018 (3rd, 7th), 2019
Utah State University Cooperative Extension Service
Top Watched (Extension) Video - 2018, 2018
Utah State University Cooperative Extension Service
Top 25 Video's of 2017 (5th, 7th, 13th), 2018
Utah State University Cooperative Extension Service
Special Recognition - Six County ASAP Project, 2017
Six County Association of Government (SCAOG)
Recognition – Western Region Vice Chairman Ag. Econ. & Comm. Dev. Committee, 2017
National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
Communications Award: Video Recordings, 2017
Utah Association of County Agricultural Agents
Sterling Scholar Judge – Agriculture, 2017
Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars of Central Utah
Sterling Scholar Judge – Agriculture, 2016
Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars of Central Utah
Top Watched Video, 2016
Utah State University Cooperative Extension Service
Recognition and Appreciation, 2015
USDA - Fishlake National Forest
Sterling Scholar Judge – Agriculture, 2015
Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars of Central Utah
Certificate of Appreciation, 2015
USDA - Fishlake National Forest & Monroe Mountain Collaborative
Certificate of Merit - Communications Award , 2014
National Association of County Agricultural Agents, Mobile, Alabama
Sterling Scholar Judge – Agriculture, 2014
Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars of Central Utah
25 Years of Service Recognition, 2014
Epsilon Sigma Phi - Iota Chapter, National Honorary Extension Fraternity, Logan, Utah
Certificate of Service - 25 Years, 2014
Utah State University Extension, Logan, Utah
Sterling Scholar Judge – Agriculture, 2013
Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars of Central Utah
Certificate of Appreciation, 2012
USDA Fishlake National Forest Service
Fellow, 2012
Western Rural Development Center
Sterling Scholar Judge – Agriculture, 2012
Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars of Central Utah
Sterling Scholar Judge - Agriculture, 2011
Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars of Central Utah
Sterling Scholar Judge – Agriculture, 2010
Deseret News/KSL Sterling Scholars of Central Utah
2009 Agent Team Award, 2009
Utah State University Specialist Association
Extension Taggart - Ballard Award of Excellence, 2007
USU Extension
Rural Partnership of the Year, 2002
Southern Utah University Rural Honors
Presidential Service Appreciation, 2001
Utah County Agricultural Agents Association
Early Career Award, 1998
Epsilon Sigma Phi
Presidential Service, 1995
Utah Weed Control Association
Publications | Abstracts
- Gale, J.A, (2019). Revisiting Past Recommendations for Alfalfa Nitrogen Crediting for Corn Silage Following Alfalfa in Utah. American Society of Agronomy - Crops & Soils Magazine
- Gale, J.A, Yost, M., (2022). Soil Fertility Recommendation and Cost Comparison in Sevier County, Utah - Abstract. Proceedings – 2022 Chad Reid NACAA Western Regional Professional Improvement Conference
- Gale, J.A, (2022). Congressional Natural Resources Briefing in Utah – Abstract. National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
- Gale, J.A, Kyhl, T., (2022). US Congressional Briefing Tour of Natural Resource and Public Lands in Utah - Abstract. National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP)
- Gale, J.A, (2022). Assisting Utah’s Associations of Government Provide Educational Programs for Elected Officials, Legislators, and US Congress - Abstract. Utah Association of County Agricultural Agents (UACAA)
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., Nelson, R., Beckley, C.J, Taylor, K., (2022). Cutleaf Vipergrass (Scorzonera laciniata L.): A New Highly Invasive Noxious Weed Threatening Utah’s Range - Abstract. Society for Range Management *
- Gale, J.A, Kyhl, T., (2021). Assisting County Associations of Government Provide Congressional Natural Resource Briefing Tour - Abstract. Proceedings - NACAA Western Region Professional Improvement Conference – 2021
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., Nelson, R., Beckley, C.J, (2021). Cutleaf Vipergrass Control in Alfalfa and Range: Herbicide Efficacy Research - Abstract. Utah Association of County Agriculture Agents
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., Nelson, R., (2020). Cutleaf Vipergrass Control in Alfalfa Using Glyphosate - Abstract. Utah Association of County Agriculture Agents
- Gale, J.A, Creech, J.E, (2019). Hay Sampler Comparison and Bale Sub-Sample Core Position Study. Proceedings - NACAA Western Region Professional Improvement Conference - 2019
- Gale, J.A, Albrecht, D., (2019). Extension’s Area Sector Analysis Process (ASAP) in Central Utah. National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
- Chapman, C., Gale, J.A, (2019). Using Collaboration as a Tool to Enable Changes in Forest Management. National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
- Gale, J.A, (2019). Growing Homegrown Communities – Area Sector Analysis Process (ASAP). National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP)
- Gale, J.A, Pound, C.A, Yost, M., (2018). Small Grains Yield Response to Nitrogen Application Following Alfalfa in Sevier County, Utah. Proceedings - 2018 NACAA Western Region Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., (2018). Controlling Cutleaf Vipergrass in Alfalfa and Rangeland. Proceedings of the Utah Association of County Agriculture Agents
- Gale, J.A, Shaffer, B., Cardon, G., Creech, J.E, (2017). Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Inputs for 1st and 2nd Year Corn Following Alfalfa in Utah. Western Association of County Agriculture Agents
- Gale, J.A, Whitesides, R.E, (2017). Curly Dock Project. Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and Tri-County Weed's 12 Annual Winter Weed Conference *
- Gale, J.A, Koenig, A.L, (2016). Control of Russian Olive Using a Dougherty Turbo Saw™ . Western Association of County Agriculture Agents
- Chapman, C., Gale, J.A, Daniels, S., (2016). Using Collaboration as a Tool to Bring Divergent Audiences Together to Improve Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) Regeneration and recruitment on Utah’s Monroe Mountain. Western Association of County Agriculture Agents
- Rogers, P.C, Gale, J.A, (2016). ‘World's Largest Organism’ Threatened by Herbivory: Restoration Monitoring at the Pando Aspen Clone. North American Congress for Conservation Biology
- Gale, J.A, Koenig, A.L, (2016). Control of Russian Olive Using a Dougherty Turbo Saw™ . Utah Association of County Agriculture Agents
- Rogers, P.C, Gale, J.A, (2015). Slaying a Giant One Bite at a Time: World’s Largest Living Organism Threatened by Herbivory. Society of American Foresters, University of Alberta Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Science *
- Gale, J.A, Cowley, J.R, (2015). Effective Partnerships and Collaborations – A Case Study from Utah. National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP)
- Gale, J.A, Chapman, C., Daniels, S., (2014). Monroe Mountain Aspen Collaborative Working Group . Utah Section - Society of Range Management
- Gale, J.A, (2014). A Perspective on Economic Development from a Traditional Extension Agricultural Educator R. National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals
- Gale, J.A, Chapman, C., (2013). Aspen Herbivory by Wildlife and Livestock on Utah’s Monroe Mountain. Restoring the West Conference
- Gale, J.A, Chapman, C., (2013). Monroe Mountain Collaborative Working Group- Aspen Herbivory by Wildlife and Livestock. Galaxy IV - Joint Council of Extension Professionals
- Gale, J.A, (2006). Agriculture Economic Development Forage Marketing and Dairy Relocation. Western Association of County Agriculture Agents
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
- Yost, M., Allen, L., Gale, J.A, W.P, (2020). Soil and Water Conservation a Celebration of 75 Years: Water Optimization through Applied Irrigation Research. Soil and Water Conservation Society
Publications | Book Chapters
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Fact Sheets
- Creech, J.E, Cardon, G., Barnhill, J.V, Gale, J.A, Israelsen, C.E, Kitchen, B.M, Nelson, R., Pace, M., (2015). The Potential for Reducing N Fertilizer Inputs for Corn Production in the First Year Following Alfalfa. Utah State University Extension
- Kopp, K., Allen, L., Gale, J.A, (2013). Simple Sprinkler Performance Testing for Sevier County. USU Cooperative Extension Service
- Israelsen, C.E, Barnhill, J.V, Pace, M., Greenhalgh, L., Gale, J.A, (2009). Chopping and Storing Quality Corn Silage. Utah State University Extension Publication
- Israelsen, C.E, Barnhill, J.V, Pace, M., Greenhalgh, L., Gale, J.A, (2009). Harvesting Corn Silage by Plant Moisture. Utah State University Extension Publication
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Journal Articles
Academic Journal
Professional Journal
- Gale, J.A, Paul, R.C, (2017). Restoration of the iconic Pando aspen clone: emerging evidence of recovery. Ecosphere, Wiley Online Library, Ecological Society of America, doi: DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1661
Public or Trade Journal
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | MultiMedia
PowerPoint
- Gale, J.A, (2023). Hay Sampling, Hay Samplers, Bail Core Position Study - PPT. Utah State University *
- Gale, J.A, (2023). Rocky Mountain Iris, Golden Pea Control and Weed Control Price Stratagies - PPT. Utah State University *
- Gale, J.A, Yost, M., Baker, M., (2022). Soil Fertility Recommendation and Cost Comparison in Sevier County, Utah - PPT. Utah State University *
- Gale, J.A, (2022). Congressional Natural Resources Briefing in Utah – PPT. Utah State University *
- Gale, J.A, Kyhl, T., (2022). US Congressional Briefing Tour of Natural Resource and Public Lands in Utah - Poster. Utah State University *
- Gale, J.A, (2022). Assisting Utah’s Associations of Government Provide Educational Programs for Elected Officials, Legislators, and US Congress - PPT. Utah State University *
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., Nelson, R., Beckley, C.J, Taylor, K., (2022). Cutleaf Vipergrass (Scorzonera laciniata L.): A New Highly Invasive Noxious Weed Threatening Utah’s Range - PPT. Utah State University *
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., Nelson, R., Beckley, C.J, Taylor, K., (2022). Cutleaf Vipergrass (Scorzonera laciniata L.): A New Highly Invasive Noxious Weed Threatening Utah’s Range - SCWCW - PPT. Utah State University *
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., Nelson, R., Beckley, C.J, Taylor, K., (2022). Cutleaf Vipergrass Control in Alfalfa and Range: Herbicide Efficacy Research - PPT. Utah State University *
- Gale, J.A, Kyhl, T., (2021). Assisting Utah's County Associations of Government Provide Congressional Natural Resource Briefing Tour - PPT. NACAA Western Regional Professional Improvement Conference - 2021 *
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., Nelson, R., Beckley, C.J, (2021). Cutleaf Vipergrass Control in Alfalfa and Range: Herbicide Efficacy Research - PPT. Utah Association of County Agriculture Agents *
- Gale, J.A, (2021). Forage Sampling. Utah State University Extension *
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., (2020). Ecology and Control of Cutleaf Vipergrass. University of Arizona Extension and Utah State University Extension *
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., (2020). Cutleaf Vipergrass Control in Alfalfa Using Glyphosate - PPT. Utah Association of County Agriculture Agents *
- Gale, J.A, Creech, J.E, Shewmaker, G.E, Putnam, D.H, (2019). Hay Sampler Comparison and Bale Sub-Sample Core Position Study. NACAA Western Regional Professional Improvement Conference - 2019 *
- Gale, J.A, Albrecht, D., (2019). Area Sector Analysis Process (ASAP) in Central Utah. National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) *
- Gale, J.A, (2019). Growing Homegrown Communities – Area Sector Analysis Process (ASAP). National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) *
- Gale, J.A, Brzozowski, R., (2018). How Does Community Development Relate to Agriculture Extension?. National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) *
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., (2018). Controlling Cutleaf Vipergrass in Alfalfa and Rangeland. Proceedings of the Utah Association of County Agriculture Agents *
- Gale, J.A, Whitesides, R.E, (2017). New Invasive "Noxious" Weed Cut Leaf Viper Grass. Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and Tri-County Weed Control *
Video
- Gale, J.A, (2017). Governor Herbert - NACAA 2017 AMPIC Welcome to Utah PSA Video. Utah Governors Office
- Patterson, R., Worwood, D.R, Gale, J.A, (2014). YT--How to Kill Russian Olive Trees. Utah State University Extension *
- Patterson, R., Worwood, D.R, Gale, J.A, (2013). YT--How to Kill Russian Olive Trees: Best Practices. Utah State University Extension *
- Patterson, R., Worwood, D.R, Gale, J.A, (2013). YT--How to Kill Russian Olive Trees: Overview. Utah State University Extension *
Web
Other Media
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Technical Reports
Research Reports
- Gale, J.A, (2008). Utah's Public Lands Socioeconomic Baseline Study: Summary Report. *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Other
Bulletins
- Rogers, P.C, Gale, J.A, (2017). WAA #4 - Pando's Lessons: restorion of giant aspen clone. Western Aspen Alliance *
Magazine/Trade Publications
Newsletter
- Gale, J.A, Ransom, C., Nelson, R., Taylor, K., (2022). Reminder to Watch out for Cutleaf Vipergrass – It’s expanding rapidly in Utah - Article. Utah State University - Crops Team *
- Gale, J.A, (2015). Summer Natural Resource and Grazing Partnership Tour. Utah State University Extension - Community Based Conservation Program *
Other
- Gale, J.A, Kyhl, T., (2021). County Associations of Government Natural Resource Briefing Tour - a Case Study from Central Utah. National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP)
- Gale, J.A, (2008). WELD Innovative Project: Leadership During Adversity. *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.