Sarah Denkler

The University of Missouri Extension has a new horticulture specialist in Southeast Missouri, Sarah Denkler. Denkler is based at the Dunklin County Extension Center in Kennett. She fills the vacancy created when former horticulture specialist Tim Baker accepted a similar position in northern Missouri.

She is already on the job, her first day being March 17.

Although she came to Southeast Missouri from Texas, she is a native Missourian and happy to be back home.

"I am very excited to be home and close to family," she said, adding, " I look forward to working in the Southeast Missouri region. I Have already met several key people in the area who have made me feel right at home and welcome. "

Denkler has 15 years of experience in the field of horticulture, working with both commercial and residential clients. This includes work in landscaping, in instruction at Linn State Technical College at Linn, Mo. and as head grower and inventory manager for Tree Town USA.

"In all my previous positions I have worked with people who have had varied backgrounds and knowledge levels and feel comfortable doing so," She said.

Denkler grew up in Farmington, Mo. and after high school attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where she earned her bachelor of science degree in horticulture in 1993 and her master's degree in horticulture in 2001.

She holds memberships in several professional organizations including Missouri Educator Certification in Horticulture since 1995, American Horticulture Society since 1996 and National Home Gardening Club since 1997.

Immediately prior to accepting the Extension post Denkler was inventory control/head grower with Tree Town USA located in Ben Wheeler, Texas. Her duties there included planning of pallet, data analysis for crop preparation, monitoring of production and budgeting. Tree Town USA is the largest producer of container grown trees in the world. With three locations in Texas and Florida and over 3,000 production acres Tree Town produces over 200 varieties of shade, ornamental, fruit and palm trees ranging from 5-gallon to 670 gallon containers.

At Linn Tech Denkler served as Department Chair-Commercial Groups Management and as an instructor.

Her duties included involvement with planning committee and the higher learning commission, curriculum development, library development, faculty senate, student internships, student and adult instruction, registration, budgeting and scheduling.