Parker Witt Joins SDSU Extension as Crop and Livestock Specialist in Watertown
- Steve Jurrens
- Sep 29
- 1 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension has welcomed Parker Witt as its new Crop and Livestock Field Specialist, who will be based at the regional center in Watertown.
In his new role, Witt will work with area crop and livestock producers to help build resilient and profitable operations. His specific expertise in both types of production will focus on the practice of crop-livestock integration, which includes initiatives such as grazing cover crops and improving forage systems.
“What I’m looking forward to most is collaborating with producers to help every acre do more and to lift up our rural communities, with land stewardship at the forefront,” Witt said. “I’m excited to team up with producers, local partners, and colleagues on grazing planning, cropland systems, forage management, and on-farm demonstrations—and most importantly to listen to community needs so our programming truly hits the mark.”
Witt holds a bachelor’s degree in soil and land management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a master’s degree in biological sciences from SDSU. Before joining SDSU Extension, the Lakeland, Minnesota native worked as a soil conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Minnesota and as an agricultural conservation specialist with Wisconsin’s Sand County Foundation.
Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension interim Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Director, commented on the value of the new position. “As operations evaluate the valuable synergies between crop and livestock production, Parker will be able to assist producers as they make operational changes that will impact their operations for years to come,” Gessner said.
