Extension Professor Dr. Vern Grubinger is the Vegetable and Berry Specialist at the University of Vermont. He has provided technical advice and conducted applied research with farmers for over 30 years. Vern's team includes Hans Estrin (produce safety), Laura Johnson (pollinator support) and Becky Maden (nutrient management and soil health). Vern also works closely with the UVM Extension agricultural engineering team, plant diagnostic clinic, and soil testing lab, and the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association. For the past 15 years Vern has also served as Director of USDA's Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE), which makes grants to farmers, graduate students, researchers, and agricultural service providers in 12 northeastern states. Northeast SARE's FY-23 budget is $11 million, funded by USDA's National Institute for Food and Agriculture. Vern is not accepting graduate students at this time.