WKU News

Ogden College of Science and Engineering is pleased to announce that Dr. Dan Strunk has been appointed as the new Director of the Agriculture Research and Education Center (AREC) at the Western Kentucky University Farm. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the Farm and the direction of its research and educational missions.

WKU’s 800+-acre farm is utilized by students as both a classroom and a lab and serves as a place to gain experience with livestock, crops, agronomy, turf management, and more. The Farm is also home to USDA research, faculty research, and corn and soybean research trials.

Originally from Maryville, Tennessee, Dan Strunk joined WKU as an Assistant Professor in early 2019 to teach plant science and conduct research in turfgrass management and industrial hemp. 

 Dan earned his B.S. in Plant Science and Landscape Systems and an M.S. in Plant Science from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  He spent several years in the turfgrass industry working for the University of Tennessee Athletic Department and as Director of Grounds at the Wesleyan School in Norcross, Georgia.  After his time in industry, Dan attended the University of Arkansas where he was awarded a Ph.D. in Plant Science.  Before joining WKU, he worked for Walters State Community College and the University of Tennessee Center for Athletic Field Safety. 

Dan and his family live in Bowling Green where his wife, Jessica, works as a physician assistant at the Medical Center and his two daughters, Gwen and Vivian, attend local public schools.

 According to David Brown, Dean of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering, “The WKU Farm has been on an upward trajectory recently:  we have a talented and hardworking team and Dan Strunk will be the right person to help further their goals.  He’s not only a team leader, but a team player.  Agriculture at WKU has a wonderful future ahead.”