Jay Harmon is the new interim associate dean for Extension and outreach programs and interim director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University.

Harmon fills the positions held by John Lawrence, who on March 27 was named the interim vice president of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Lawrence succeeds Cathann Kress, who is leaving Iowa State for a new position at The Ohio State University. Kress begins May 1 as Ohio State’s vice president for ag administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Harmon, a professor of ag and biosystems engineering and ISU Extension livestock housing specialist, assumed his new responsibilities April 1. Lawrence became acting vice president on March 31, and will assume his interim role on April 29.

Experience with ISU Extension programs
“We are fortunate to have a leader of Dr. Harmon’s caliber to continue the extraordinary commitment to science-based information and engagement we are known for in our agricultural and natural resources Extension programs,” says Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Dr. Harmon has a remarkable record of service to the state of Iowa and is nationally recognized for his expertise in livestock production systems.”

Harmon joined ISU’s agricultural and biosystems engineering faculty in 1993. His Extension duties have focused on improved profitability and sustainability through systems approach to livestock housing, management of ventilation and heating systems for swine housing, and environmental modifications that improve swine conception rates. He has advised more than 200 producers on making the best decisions on siting new swine facilities by running an ISU-developed odor assessment model. He leads the Agricultural Systems and Environmental Stewardship Extension Group, and he served as interim director of ISU’s Iowa Pork Industry Center from 2014 to 2015.

Harmon teaches courses on subjects that include ag engineering design, swine environmental management and ventilation of agricultural facilities. He conducts applied research on efficient and sustainable swine production systems.

Harmon is professor-in-charge of the Midwest Plan Service at ISU, which produces ag engineering publications and materials in collaboration with 12 Midwestern universities. In 2015, he was nationally recognized as recipient of the G.B. Gunlogson Countryside Engineering Award for exemplary service to animal production systems from the American Society of Ag and Biological Engineers. A Fellow of ASABE, Harmon earned his bachelor’s degree at Purdue University, his master’s at University of Minnesota and his doctorate at Virginia Tech, all in agricultural engineering.

Source: Iowa State University