Meet the Extension Agent
Meet the Extension Agent
On August 19, 1991, Robert E. Call started working as the Cochise County Agriculture Agent, Horticulture. Because of extended duties in other counties, he is now known as the Area Horticulture Educator/Agent.
Rob has a B.S. degree in horticulture from Brigham Young University. While in his undergraduate program he was employed as a greenhouse worker. Rob earned a Masters degree on Plant Science from Utah State University. His Master Thesis was delaying bloom and increasing cold hardiness of peach trees.
After graduate school, Rob accepted a faculty position with the Department of Horticulture, University of Illinois. He was stationed at Dixon Springs Agriculture Center, a 5,000 acre multi-discipline research facility in southern Illinois. Rob worked with warm season vegetables and small fruits. This work included variety trials, cultural experiments and pesticide testing.
During 1988 - 1991 Rob had been Production Manager for an 800 acre apple and tart cherry orchard and packing shed in Utah. In addition to managing daily orchard operations, Rob planned and supervised the installation of a new sprinkler system and the planting, trellising and grafting of three new apple varieties.
Rob is fluent in Spanish, having lived for three years in Mexico City and two years in Argentina. His many interests include pottery, piano playing, basketball, and of course, gardening.. Rob and his wife Suzanne met in college and are the parents of five children. Rob travels a great deal and has done horticulture projects in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Dominican Republic and China. He also teaches a yearly Master Gardeners Course.