EPA Region 6 Langston University Tour Day 2026 (1)
EPA Region 6
Pesticide Inspector Residential Training Program (PIRT)
Event Schedule
10:15 AM
The Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (SL/SAAS) warmly welcomes EPA Region 6 officials and agricultural inspectors from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico to Langston University for a day of educational tours, demonstrations, and collaborative agricultural experiences.
Arrival - Coffee, water, & light snacks -
10:30 – 10:45 AM Room 331 Welcome & Extension Overview
10:45 – 11:00 AM Room 331 Crops & Natural Resources Program Overview
11:00 – 11:45 AM Room 331
Insects – Pests vs Beneficials, Parasitoids & Control Methods
Dr Roger Merkel: Associate Extension Administrator
Dr Leonard Kibet: Associate Professor of Soil & Environmental Science / Director of Crops & Natural Resources
Dr. Tracey Payton: Assistant Professor of Horticulture/Entomology
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM Lunch - Atrium SL/SAAS
12:30 – 12:50 PM
1:00 – 1:45 PM HERC
1:45 – 2:30 PM HERC / Apiary
2:30 – 3:15 PM HERC
3:15 – 4:00 PM Main Farm / South Farm
Laboratory Tour led by Dr Roger Merkel
Precision Agriculture & Drone Demonstration
Apiary & Beekeeping Demonstration
HERC Tour, Pest Management & Plasticulture Discussion
Small Ruminant Farm, Milking Parlor & Pest Management Practices
Dr Sudip Kunwar: Assistant Professor of Biosystem Engineering and Precision Agriculture
Mr Marcio White: Instructor, GIS & Students
Mr. Hank Baker: Honeybee Educator Extension
Dr Leonard Kibet: Associate Professor of Soil & Environmental Science / Director of Crops & Natural Resources
Mr. Richardson Boateng: Farm Manager, Horticulture, Education and Research Center (HERC)
Mr. Dawit Woldemariam: Director, AIGR - LAU Livestock Operations
students is our obligation. Providing them with unique and enriching academic experiences is our fundamental responsibility. We pursue excellence and develop character, one scholar at a time."
YOUR HOSTS & PRESENTERS
Your SL/SAAS Team for the Day
With an illustrious journey that began at the University of llinois (BS), coursed through the University of Florida (MS), and culminated at North Carolina State University (PhD), Dr Roger Merkel has dedicated a significant portion of his career 25 years to Langston University His roles span research, extension, and teaching, with a notable focus on combating the environmental persistence of the mycobacterium causing Johne's disease Dr Merkel's contributions extend beyond the laboratory and classroom; he has been instrumental in editing several goat production handbooks and developing web resources aimed at enriching goat producers with valuable information His quarter-century commitment to LU and the broader agricultural community has established him not only as a preeminent researcher but also as a beacon of knowledge and guidance for goat producers across the globe, truly earning him the title of "The Goat Whisperer
Embarking on an academic and professional journey that took root at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Dr Leonard C Kibet has cultivated an impressive educational foundation with a BS in Plant and Soil Science, an MS in Food and Agricultural Science, and a Ph D in Soil & Environmental Science Joining Langston University in June 2023, Dr Kibet has since been a pivotal figure in teaching, research, and extension, dedicating his expertise to the advancement of Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies and Environmental Sustainability His commitment to nurturing the earth and fostering sustainable agricultural practices has established him as a guardian of the soil, ensuring the vitality and health of our planet for future generations. Through his work, Dr. Kibet not only educates and inspires those within the academic community but also leads by example in the pursuit of sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
Tracey Payton has a B S in Horticulture (Entomology Minor), M S in Entomology, and a Ph.D. in Entomology, all from Oklahoma State University. Her research interests include greenhouse and field production of horticultural crops and biological control of horticultural insects She has worked for the Cimarron Valley Research Station as a Research Technician, Bluebird Nursery Inc as the Supervisor of Propagation and Cuttings, the USDA-ARS Insect Genetics Laboratory as a Biological Science Technician/Graduate Student and served 10 years as a Horticulturalist for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service in Cleveland County, during which she procured her Ph.D. Dr. Payton has been at Langston University since 2018, as Assistant Professor of Horticulture/Entomology Her position includes teaching horticulture, forestry, and related classes, research regarding horticulture crops and Integrated Pest Management of insects, and extension ofhorticultural principals to underserved clientele She has been actively involved in the Entomological Society of America for 20 years, the Horticulture Industry Show, the Oklahoma Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Oklahoma Native Plant Network
Dr. Roger Merkel: Associate Extension Administrator
Dr. Leonard Kibet: Associate Professor of Soil & Environmental Science / Director of Crops & Natural Resources
Dr. Tracey Payton: Assistant Professor of Horticulture/Entomology
Sudip Kunwar is an Assistant Professor of Biosystems Engineering and Precision Agriculture at Langston University’s School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences He earned both his Ph D in Plant Breeding, with a specialization in Phenomics and Quantitative Genetics, and his M S in Horticultural Sciences from University of Florida His research integrates UAV-based remote sensing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and genomic tools to advance high-throughput phenotyping and predictive modeling in agronomic and horticultural crops. At Langston University, Dr. Kunwar develops precision agriculture solutions designed to improve the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural inputs in both crop and livestock systems while making advanced technologies more accessible to farmers His active research includes UAV-based phenotyping of horticultural crops such as tomatoes for yield and fruit quality prediction, assessment of pasture health using UAV-derived vegetation indices in small ruminant systems, evaluation of UAV flight parameters on livestock stress and behavior, and the integration of multispectral and hyperspectral sensor data for precision crop management He is also leading the development of cloud-based platforms that automate UAV image processing and trait prediction pipelines, helping reduce technological barriers for producers and agricultural stakeholders.
He has 20 years of teaching experience in Geographical Information Systems at Langston University and 18 years in Engineering Technology He has participated as an assistant investigator in four major research projects providing technical expertise: Goat Red Cedar (Drone Technology), NASA (Rock-C, Countermeasures for dysregulation of the immune system of astronauts during prolonged space flights), NASA(Rock-X, WRATS), NASA-GAVRT Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope, and Sky Wrangler (Drone Technology and Precision Agriculture)
Hank Baker is a professional Agriculture Administrator Research & Extension Educator for Langston University and Oklahoma State University, specializing in apiculture and sustainable agricultural practices As a Cornell University Trained Beekeeper and the owner-operator of Baker Bee Farms, he delivers evidence-based education and technical assistance to producers across Oklahoma His work bridges academic research and practical farm management, focusing on advanced queen rearing, selective breeding, and local agricultural literacy
Dr. Sudip Kunwar: Assistant Professor of Biosystem Engineering and Precision Agriculture
Mr. Marcio White: Instructor, GIS
Mr. Hank Baker: Honeybee Educator Extension
Richardson Boateng
, MS Farm Manager- Horticulture Education and Research Center(HERC)
RESEARCH PROJECT:
Demonstration of High Yielding Sweet Potato (BAYOU BELLE) in Langston OK
Mr Dawit Woldemariam embarked on his journey at Debub University, Ethiopia, where he laid the foundation of his passion with a BS in Animal Production and Rangeland Management His quest for deeper understanding led him to pursue an MS in Animal Production and currently, he is a Ph D candidate in Range Ecology and Dryland Biodiversity at Haramaya University, Ethiopia Since joining Langston University in 2022 as the AIGR-LAU farm manager, Dawit has been a pivotal force in nurturing the land and fostering sustainable practices in animal production and grassland ecology. With a profound dedication to the stewardship of our planet's grasslands and the wellbeing of the livestock that graze upon them, Dawit's work at the American Institute for Goat Research and Large Animal Unit exemplifies his commitment to conserving and enhancing the earth's most vital ecosystems. His journey from Ethiopia to Langston University reflects a deepseated passion for the natural world, making him a true guardian of the grasslands.
Dr Carlos Alvarado's academic voyage began with a BS in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University, before delving into the world of Food Science at Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela, where he obtained both his M S and Ph D Since joining Langston University in 2022 as a Dairy Product Specialist, Dr Alvarado has infused his teaching, research, and extension roles with a rich blend of knowledge and passion His research ambitiously tackles the formulation of animal products and pioneers sustainable cheese production methods Dr Alvarado is committed to sharing his extensive experience in food technology and safety, not only with his students but also with small farmers, aiming to enhance the quality and sustainability of dairy production As a culinary artist in the laboratory, he seamlessly merges tradition with innovation, ensuring that the future of dairy is as delicious as it is sustainable.
Mr. Dawit Woldemariam: Director, AIGR - LAU Livestock Operations
Mr. Richardson Boateng: Farm Manager, Horticulture, Education and Research Center (HERC)
