Nathan Burks

Research Associate 2 leading the execution of corn and soybean nursery seed production, strictly follow HSE and Stewardship practices, providing quality seed meeting quantity and timeline targets to assist scientists in delivering project goals, as well as to support site management with the functional activities of a research station. Functioning as an integral member of a team leading aspects of packaging, planting, cultivating, note taking, processing and harvesting in seed production nurseries. Responsible for efforts to maintain integrity of seed inventory, packaging, field layout, pollinating, seed processing, and data collection. Operate and troubleshoot specialized seed research equipment, including harvesters, seed processing, and packaging equipment. Provide daily direction to contract staff and task specific training to FTEs and contract staff. Leading complex projects and deliver on key target, including understanding and operating within given budget.

The Iowa Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) is a nonprofit organization designated by Chapter 177 in the Iowa Legislature as the official seed certifying agency in Iowa. The association is composed of member companies and individuals who are actively engaged in the seed industry and are committed to advancing seed and crop improvement. As the oldest and one of the most prominent yield trial organizations, ICIA is among the five largest in the nation and plays a significant role in advancing agricultural research and development. The Research Scientist I provides direct support to the crop performance testing group. This branch conducts the official variety trials for the state, known as the Iowa Crop Performance Tests (ICPT). The role involves contributing to and supporting all phases of the trialing program. Responsibilities include assisting with seed inventory management and preparing seeds for planting; collecting, recording, and delivering research data; and implementing research protocols, including UAV remote sensing methods. Responsible for contributing to experimental design, database management, and statistical analysis, while collaborating with a diverse team of researchers and farmer cooperators to ensure accurate data reporting. Additional responsibilities involve monitoring and overseeing machinery and property maintenance and repair, developing new methods and programs to improve efficiency, diagnosing and remedying crop and weed pressure problems, and hiring, training, and managing hourly student employees and seasonal contract workers.

Serving as lab technician In support of the USDA-funded project Building Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities in South Carolina, working with a multi-disciplinary team assisting in the monitoring of soil carbon stocks and greenhouse gas fluxes in the cropping systems of South Carolina.

Responsible for crop sampling for field quality including data tracking in Crop Progress Data Systems, field observations, field sampling, sample grading, storage monitoring and working with growers. Responsibilities include report development and support for manufacturing operations. Forklift certified.

Participating in research with Professor Larry Cihacek studying Soil Science: Crop Residue Characteristics Influencing Their Decomposition. Conservation tillage has become widely adopted across North Dakota with many benefits to soil health. In North Dakota, there is a short growing season with variable precipitation conditions from year to year which can lead to delayed mineralization of crop residues in fields under long-term conversation tillage. With this, gaining a better understanding of crop residue decomposition in a frigid environment is important as mineralization of crop residue recycles nutrients back to the soil for plant use. One of the nutrients of interest is nitrogen cycling from the crop residue decomposing. We would like to better understand the physical and chemical structure of the residues being studied (corn, spring wheat, soybean, radish) as it relates to their breakdown. We will use electron microscopy (EM) and near-infrared reflectance (NIR) technologies in this study. As a student researcher I am involved in the preparation of residue samples for EM and NIR analysis, basic chemical characterization analysis, reagent preparation and some field sample collection related to a larger overall study.

Part-time intern learning how to make and assist with production of all cheese types produced by Locksley Estate Farmstead Cheese Company. Learning cheese processes - pasteurizing, safety protocols, handling the curd, basic milk/cheese chemistry, plus the crucial work of affinage or “cave work” including turning, rind maintenance, washing and overall ripening of cheese.

3.433 GPA

Summa Cum Laude Graduate; Outstanding Student in Agriculture Sciences (Horticulture) Award 2023; President's List Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022 and Fall 2021 for achieving semester 4.0 GPA

Magna Cum Laude Graduate

English Composition 111 and 112

Advanced Diploma - Cum Laude and Civic honors