FFA Workshop
Agriculture is a dynamic, diversified field with a great need for graduates trained in the liberal arts as well as the scientific and practical components of agricultural production. Students benefit from the Agriculture Department's strong academic program which is coupled with available experiences in on-campus farm production, farm management, and industry internships. The department has excellent facilities in both the academic program and the work education area. It is an exciting time to be a part of this unique program!
At the College of the Ozarks' agriculture school, students participate in our work college program. Students earning an agriculture degree have the opportunity to get real-world experience at the college's operating farm. Students of the agriculture school produce the dairy, beef, fruit, and vegetables used in the kitchen at The Keeter Center, C of O's restaurant, ice cream shop, and bakery.
Study agriculture at College of the Ozarks and you will have the knowledge and experience necessary to start your career in agricultural production.
Title: Assistant Professor of Agriculture
Email: aholder@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Animal Science and Pre Vet
Education: B.S. College of the Ozarks, 2015; M.S. University of Arkansas, 2018; Ph.D. Oklahoma State University, 2021
Dr. Amanda Holder-Sage graduated from College of the Ozarks in 2015 with a double major in agronomy and agriculture business. After earning her B.S. at C of O, she went on to study plant breeding and genetics at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where the research focus of her M.S. was genetic resistance to fungal pathogens in wheat. After completing her M.S. degree, she continued her education at Oklahoma State University where she earned her PhD in ruminant nutrition. Her doctoral research evaluated the impact of diet quality on intake, greenhouse gas emissions, gene expression, and production measures in mature beef cows. She is now serving as an assistant professor of animal science and advises the pre-veterinary students and club as well.
Title: Associate Professor of Agriculture
Email: skenyon@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Agronomy
Education: B.S. College of the Ozarks, 2005; M.S. University of Arkansas, 2007; Ph.D. University of Missouri, 2017
Sarah Kenyon earned her B.S. from College of the Ozarks, M.S. from University of Arkansas, and Ph.D. from University of Missouri. Sarah’s professional experiences include Missouri Cattleman’s Association, Extension, and Grassland Dairies, working to improve grazing management, forage production, and agronomic problems related to forage production in southern Missouri. Her research and publications involve the management of tall fescue toxicosis. Sarah Kenyon will be teaching Agronomy courses at College of the Ozarks.
Email: mshekels@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Agriculture Business
Education: B.S., Arkansas Tech University, 2007; M.S., Kansas State University, 2012
Mr. Matt Shekels obtained his B.S. degrees in Animal Science and Agri Business from Arkansas Tech University in 2007 and his master's degree in Agri Business from Kansas State University in 2012. Matt is also a trained bovine embryologist. He and his family live on a beef farm, raising cow/calf pairs for seedstock and feeder animals. Matt enjoys engaging with issues in agriculture through Farm Bureau, while co-sponsoring the CofO Aggie Club. He is also active in his faith community, leading worship and ministering at his church.
Title: Professor of Agriculture and The D. Howard Doane Chair of Agriculture
Email: mhumphreys@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Horticulture, Agriculture Development
Education: B.S., Oklahoma State University, 2000; M.S., Oklahoma State University, 2003; Ph.D., Purdue University, 2007
Dr. Micah Humphreys graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science, continuing there to obtain his M.S. degree in Soil Fertility under Dr. Bill Raun. He graduated from Purdue University with a Ph.D. in Agronomy with Dr. A. P. Schwab as his dissertation advisor. After teaching for 11 years at Northwest College in Powell, WY, he was hired at St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, MO, to start a program in agriculture. He began at College of the Ozarks in 2021.
Title: Associate Professor of Agriculture Education
Email: bwilson@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Agriculture Education
Education: B.S. Southwest Missouri State University, 1996; M.S.Ed. Missouri State University, 2001; Ed.S. Lindenwood University, 2006; Ed.D. Lindenwood University, 2009
Dr. Brian Wilson earned his B.S. and M.S. Degrees from Missouri State University, while obtaining both a Specialist and Ed.D. from Lindenwood University. Dr. Wilson began his career teaching and chartering an Agricultural Education Program directly after Graduation from Missouri State University. For the next 30 years, he continued to serve and lead three PK-12 School Districts in Southwest Missouri, as he strived to be an advocate, servant, and pioneer in public education. Dr. Wilson has been published for his research in student achievement in both the U.S. and Germany. After a rewarding career in public education, he retired in 2025, where he was selected as the MOSPRA Administrator of the year by his colleagues across Missouri. In the fall of 2025, he was called to return to his roots of teaching and serve students at College of Ozarks, as his main focus of teaching and learning is Agricultural Education.