Brad Tonnessen is the Research Scientist at the CSU Western Colorado Research Center - Rogers Mesa (WCRC-RM). He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and earned a PhD at Colorado State University in genetics and plant pathology. He spent time as an organic farmer before becoming an Extension program manager at New Mexico State University for chile pepper breeding and mixed vegetable production. At WCRC-RM, Brad is working to build community presence and conduct research that benefits farmers. His current research areas include organic treatments of Cytospora canker disease in peach, fruit tree rootstock trials, integrated pest management, agrivoltaics, table grape production, and vegetable variety trials.
