Dr. Richard Browning
Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research
Tennessee State University

Dr. Richard Browning graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Prairie View A & M University in 1989.  He 

then moved on to Texas A & M University to recieve a Masters of Science in 1992 and Doctorate in 1994.

Dr. Browning initiated meat goat breed evaluation research at TSU (Nashville) in 2001.  The major focus of

the 200-doe research herd is to assess fitness and reproductive output of various meat goat breeds for

commercial production under pasture management conditions.  Over the last four years, the primary objective

has been to study the  hardiness and reproductive/maternal traits among straightbred Boer, Kiko, and Spanish

does raising straightbred and F1 kids. Dr. Browning returns this year to give an update on these efforts.

Review Dr. Browning's research projects at faculty.tnstate.edu/rbrowning/research.htm

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Dr. Gretchen Hilton
Assistant Professor of Meat Science
Oklahoma State University

Dr. Gretchen Hilton received her BS in Animal Science from Texas Tech University in 1994.  She then earned

an MS from Colorado State University before returning to Texas Tech for her Ph.D., also in Animal Science,

with a Meat Science emphasis.  After completing her education, Dr. Hilton was employed by the USDA as a

Livestock and Meat-Marketing Specialist.  She then served as an Assistant Professor of Animal Science at

Angelo State University, and is currently serving at Oklahoma State University as Assistant Professor of Meat

Science and the coach of the Intercollegiate Meat Judging Team.

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James "JJ" Jones
Oklahoma Cooperative Exension Service
Area Agriculture Economics Specialist
Southeastern Oklahoma

JJ received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a Masters of Science degree in Agriculture

Economics from Oklahoma State Univeristy.  For 10 years he was the Area Farm Management Specialist for

the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service.  In 2005, he began work as the Area Agrculture

Economics Specialist for the Southeast District of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.  His area of responsibility includes Farm Management, Farm Business Planning, Livestock & Crop Marketing, Market Plans,

Risk Management, Whole Farm and Partial Budgeting, Record Keeping, Estate Planning, and Farm Taxes. 

JJ also owns and operates a small Boer goat operation.

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Dr. Gene Parker
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Area Extension Food Animal Quality & Health Specialist
Western Oklahoma

Dr. Gene Parker received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a Doctorate of Veterinary

Medicine from Oklahoma State University in 1988. For 17 years, Dr. Parker cared for food animals in a

mixed animal practice in Stephens County, Oklahoma. His practice area included many clients with small

ruminants (sheep, goats, and deer).  Dr. Parker began his career with Oklahoma Cooperative Exention

Service in December of 2005. Educational efforts include infectious & contagious diseases of food animals,

herd health, and biosecurity. Dr. Parker owns a cow herd and deer farm in western Stephens County.

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Chris Rice
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Area Extension Agronomy Specialist
Southeastern Oklahoma

Chris Rice has two degrees from Oklahoma State University, a Bachelor of Agronomy and a Masters in Crop

Science.  Previous work experience includes 10 years of weed control research in forages and rangelands,

followed by 10 years of managing a 1,000-acre University Research Farm in Stillwater, OK.  Chris has been

in his current position as Area Extension Agronomist for Southeastern Oklahoma for the past 5 years.

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Brian Freking
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
County Agriculture Educator & CED
LeFlore County

Brian Freking is originally from LeMars, IA where he grew up on a diversified livestock and crop farm. In

1995, he moved to Poteau as a consultant for the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Brian also has

experience with the poultry industry as a service technician for OK Foods, Inc. Brian joined OSU in 2004

and is currently serving as LeFlore County Extension Agriculture Educator & CED. His expertise is in animal

nutrition and genetics, primarily with cattle after conducting research at South Dakota State University.

He currently lives in Cowlington, Oklahoma and maintains a registered Angus & Chiangus cattle operation

with his wife and two children.

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Dr. Dave Sparks

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Area Extension Food Animal Quality & Health Specialist
Eastern Oklahoma

Dr. Dave Sparks recieved his Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University in 1971, then a

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1976, again from OSU.  For 30 years, Dr. Sparks worked as a food-animal veterinarian in Arizona, Kansas and Oklahoma.  He also worked as a tribal veterinarian for the Navajo Tribe for

seven years.  Dr. Sparks began his career with Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service in January 2006. He is

a member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medicine Association and the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners.

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Jack Wallace
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Area Extension Livestock Specialist
Southeastern Oklahoma

Jack Wallace attended Oklahoma State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1973.  

He then attended the University of Arkansas to obtain a Masters of Science in 1983.  Jack  worked with the

Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service for seven years, and has now been part of Oklahoma Cooperative

Extension Service for 25 years.

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Dr. Justin Talley

Assistant Professor

Oklahoma State University

Justin Talley earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 2000 and his Master of Science in 2001, both from

Texas A & M.  He obtained his Ph.D. from Kansas State University in 2006.  Dr. Talley is currently working as

an Assistant Professor in the Entomology Department at Oklahoma State University, responsible for programs

focusing on the management of arthropod pests associated with livestock production and providing current

educational materials to livestock producers, including those who rely on goat production.