The University of Wyoming Extension recently named Hannah Rodgers the new extension specialist in weather variability and agricultural resilience.

Rodgers earned her doctorate in soil sciences from UW. After her graduation, she worked as a fellow for the USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub. She then became a UW research scientist in the Department of Applied and Agricultural Economics. As a research scientist, she helped lead an ongoing, multi-year project funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This project, which is a collaboration between UW and the USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub, aims to help Wyoming rural agricultural communities navigate weather and climate-related issues, particularly drought.

Rodgers’ new role builds on her previous experiences with climate resilience and has a regional focus. She will conduct research; provide workshops and courses designed for agricultural service providers; and facilitate collaboration between agricultural producers and researchers.

She will also serve as the USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub coordinator. The hub delivers practical knowledge about weather variability and climate to producers and landowners. In this position, she will help coordinate the efforts of climate hub members in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

“I’m excited to work more closely with our regional partners, including the USDA Agricultural Research Service and soil health groups working in our neighboring states,” says Rodgers.

Rodgers started her new role with UW Extension on Monday, December 15. She can be reached at hrodger3@uwyo.edu.