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January 18-20, 2026 |  Wisconsin Dells, WI

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Utah State University-The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

 

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First name
Brent
Last name
Black
Company / Farm
Utah State University-The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Title
Profesor, Extension Fruit Specialist
Profile Picture
About Me
Brent Black, PhD
Professor and Extension Fruit Specialist
Utah State University
Dr. Brent Black is a Professor in the Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate at Utah State University (USU), where he also serves as the statewide Extension Fruit Specialist. With over two decades of experience, he bridges cutting-edge research with practical outreach to support Utah's fruit growers—from tart cherry and apple producers to berry and stone fruit operations—in navigating challenges like climate variability, irrigation efficiency, and sustainable practices.
Raised in eastern Idaho with parents who were USU alumni and college professors, Brent developed an early fascination with plants' resilience to harsh winters. He earned a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science from USU (1991), an M.S. in Horticulture from Michigan State University (1994), and a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Oregon State University (1999). His early career included nursery work, landscape construction, and running a family nursery business, fueling his passion for fruit crops.
After six years as a research horticulturist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service—focusing on plant water relations and pomology—Brent joined USU in 2005. There, he sought greater direct impact on commercial growers and students, leading Extension programs that deliver science-based tools for orchard management, pest control, and crop physiology. His research explores topics like organic orchard floor management, drought-tolerant rootstocks, high-tunnel season extension for small fruits, and nutrient fluxes in sustainable systems, with publications in journals such as HortScience and Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems.
A 2025 Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science, Brent is celebrated for elevating Utah's fruit industry—America's second-largest tart cherry producer—through innovations in irrigation, thinning, and cold-hardiness. He's authored key resources like the Utah-Colorado Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide and mentors' students who praise his supportive, hands-on guidance.

The Growing Wisconsin Conference is run by the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association. For more information please contact us. Thank you for your interest in the Growing Wisconsin Conference!

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