Russell Smith-Ollivierre
Payette,ID
Summary
Dedicated and knowledgeable Extension General Agriculture Educator with over 8 years of experience in agricultural education Expert in providing research-based information, developing educational programs, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Adept at collaborating with farmers, agribusinesses, and local communities to address agricultural challenges and promote innovation. Proven ability to communicate complex agricultural concepts in an accessible manner, ensuring practical application and continuous improvement in agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Extension General Agriculture Educator
Oregon State University
09.2023 - Current
- Conduct needs-assessment/advisory activities to determine the educational needs of the region and its stakeholders and incorporate such input into the development of local educational programs.
- Design, coordinate, implement, deliver, and evaluate mufti-faceted Extension agricultural education programs that focus on issues important to the Treasure Valley clientele.
- Assist field crop producers, field personnel and dealers with educational resources for applied research, production, management, and marketing needs.
- Work with other emerging and alternative crops as determined by the needs assessment.
- Work cooperatively with Extension faculty, department heads, and other faculty and staff to provide non-credit instruction, teaching and delivery of educational programs and materials while maintaining contact and relationships with producer groups.
- Work cooperatively with the Extension Service and Ag Experiment station faculty, other governmental agencies, commodity groups, and groups interested in crop production and pesticide registration in team efforts to offer needs-based Extension educational programs.
- Offer educational events eligible for pesticide license recertification credits in topics germane to target audiences.
- Respond to or refer routine phone calls, correspondence, Ask Extension, and walk-in questions regarding soil productivity, field crop production, natural resource management, watershed health, pest management, and general home gardening in Malheur County.
- Provide diverse educational experiences related to improving crop production systems by conducting area meetings, workshops, conferences, and field tours as needed.
- Design programs to be delivered throughout various Malheur County locations in order to meet the diverse needs of clientele and offer online/virtual opportunities when appropriate.
Farm Director/ Director of Farming Operations
GrowPro
01.2020 - 08.2023
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
Graduate Teacher
St George Secondary School
09.2015 - 08.2023
- Taught Agricultural Science, Integrated Science, Amenity Horticulture, Crop Production and Computer Awareness
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives focused on improving overall student achievement by implementing data-driven instructional strategies.
- Utilized technology tools such as interactive whiteboards, online resources, and digital platforms to enrich lessons and engage students in the learning process.
- Reached students of all skill levels through use of different technologies and teaching approaches.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design cross-curricular projects, enhancing student engagement in multiple subject areas.
- Assessed student progress regularly through formative and summative assessments, adjusting instructional approaches as needed for maximum effectiveness.
- Enhance student development by teaching behavioral, social, and lifelong learning skills in addition to academic subjects.
Aquaculture Educator
Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)
07.2019 - 06.2023
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans to keep learner attention.
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies for diverse learners, ensuring individualized attention and success.
- Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
- Developed and implemented useful behavior management strategies to instill discipline and compliance with conduct code.
- Designed curriculum-aligned assessments to measure student progress and inform instructional decisions.
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-life examples into lesson plans.
Trainer and Assessor
Competency Based Training Fund (CBTF) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Training Programme
05.2016 - 05.2017
- Caribbean Vocational Qualification: Amenity Horticulture and Crop Production
- Monitored and reported trainee progress, introducing new learning tools to address individual needs.
- Developed effective training plans based on department needs and objectives.
- Enhanced trainee engagement through interactive workshops and hands-on activities.
- Performed continuous evaluations of content and plans to enhance delivery and improve effectiveness.
- Stayed current on industry trends and advancements, incorporating new techniques into existing training programs as needed.
Internship Student
University Of The West Indies St.Augustine
06.2011 - 08.2011
- General Mentorship, Plant Pathology Unit, Disease Identification, Conducting Koch's postulates,
- Use of ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit, Gram Staining.
- Conducted research on the physiology and diseases of plants.
- Inoculated healthy plants and compared it with a suspected agent taken from a diseased plant.
- Analyzed experimental results and made written reports.
- Studied the intensity of the spread of diseases considering environmental factors such as soil, climate, and geography,
- Assisted colleagues in their tasks when needed, fostering a supportive work environment.
- Gained practical experience in various aspects of the field, applying academic knowledge to real-world situations.
- Demonstrated adaptability by quickly learning new concepts and techniques as required for different assignments within the program.
- Provided extension services to the public .
Internship Student
Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic
06.2007 - 08.2007
- Landscaping, General Mentorship, Budding and Grafting, General farming
- Gained practical experience in various aspects of the field, applying academic knowledge to real-world situations.
- Assisted colleagues in their tasks when needed, fostering a supportive work environment.
- Improved internship experience by efficiently managing assigned tasks and meeting deadlines.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma In Education (Distinction) - Education
Erdiston Teachers’ Training College
Barbados05.2018
Teachers’ Introductory Program - Education
Erdiston Teachers’ Training College
Bridgetown, Barbados 07.2016
Level IV in Assessment -
Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ)
01.2016
Master of Science - Tropical Crop Protection (Major: Plant Pathology)
University of The West Indies
St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago05.2015
B.Sc. General Agriculture (Upper Second Class Honors) - Agriculture
University of The West Indies
St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago05.2012
Certificate in Agriculture (Tropical and Sub-Tropical - Principles) - Agriculture
City And Guild NPTC
2008
Diploma in Agriculture - Agriculture
Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic
Bridgetown, Barbados2008
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Crop Production, Planting, Fertilization, Irrigation, Weed Control, Harvesting, Crop Diseases, Crop Rotation
- Knowledgeable of epidemiology, bacteriology and virology of plants
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, planning, problem solving, and organizational skills
- Program Development
- Teaching strategies
- Continuing education
- Online Teaching
- Differentiated Instruction
- Subject matter expertise
- Interpersonal Skills
- Professionalism
Accomplishments
- Award for Most Improved Student in Agriculture, Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic
- Recipient of the Frederick Hardy Prize for the best Year 2 and Year 3 performance in Soil Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine
- Awarded for Excellence in M.Sc. Tropical Crop Protection
- Part of the teaching team which won the open field category of Grow Well Gardening School Competition
- Part of the teaching team which won the open field category, protected category and container category of the Grow Well Gardening School Competition.
Internshipprograms
- 2011, University of the West Indies, Graeme Hall, Christ Church, General Mentorship, Plant Pathology Unit, Disease Identification, Conducting Koch's postulates, Use of ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit, Gram Staining, Conducted research on the physiology and diseases of plants., Inoculated healthy plants and compared it with a suspected agent taken from a diseased plant., Analyzed experimental results and made written reports., Studied on the intensity of the spread of diseases considering environmental factors such as soil, climate, and geography., Extension Services
- 2007, Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, St. Andrew, General Mentorship, Lawnmakers Landscaping and Maintenance, Greenland Life Stock Station, Soil Conservation Unit, Budding and Grafting, Chickmont Foods, Arthur Smith Farms
References
- Michele Warner, Emerald Park West, (246) 243-3463 or 271-6795
- Tanisha Hunte, Apartments A Dalton Ville Brighton Beach Road North, St Michael, Barbados, (246)837-6504
Timeline
Extension General Agriculture Educator
Oregon State University
09.2023 - Current
Farm Director/ Director of Farming Operations
GrowPro
01.2020 - 08.2023
Aquaculture Educator
Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)
07.2019 - 06.2023
Trainer and Assessor
Competency Based Training Fund (CBTF) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Training Programme
05.2016 - 05.2017
Graduate Teacher
St George Secondary School
09.2015 - 08.2023
Internship Student
University Of The West Indies St.Augustine
06.2011 - 08.2011
Internship Student
Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic
06.2007 - 08.2007
Postgraduate Diploma In Education (Distinction) - Education
Erdiston Teachers’ Training College
Teachers’ Introductory Program - Education
Erdiston Teachers’ Training College
Level IV in Assessment -
Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ)
Master of Science - Tropical Crop Protection (Major: Plant Pathology)
University of The West Indies
B.Sc. General Agriculture (Upper Second Class Honors) - Agriculture
University of The West Indies
Certificate in Agriculture (Tropical and Sub-Tropical - Principles) - Agriculture
City And Guild NPTC
Diploma in Agriculture - Agriculture
Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic
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