Station Staff

Nikki Rothwell

Nikki joined the staff in September of 2004 as the District IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Agent for Fruit.  She was recently named Coordinator of the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station (NWMHRS) and District Extension Horticulture Educator. This position holds a split appointment with Michigan Agricultural Research Station (45%) and Michigan State University Extension (55%). Responsibilities for the station coordinator include providing overall leadership for the operation of the NWMHRS, conducting independent and collaborative research with researchers to provide direction, research, and research coordination for the NWMHRS. In the District Extension Horticultural Educator role, Nikki provides leadership and coordination in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating extension educational program and activities in order to maintain the flow of current research-based technical and management information to the fruit industry. She also helps to improve the skills of growers and agribusiness persons in application of research results to their particular production or marketing situation. Lastly, she works with the Northern Michigan fruit industry to provide horticultural leadership with extension directions and agricultural educators in the North and Upper Peninsula regions.

Erin Lizotte

Erin Lizotte has been named the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension integrated fruit practices (IFP) and integrated pest management (IPM) district educator at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station (NWMHRS). She joined the staff on position on January 1, 2008. Erin provides leadership and focus for fruit pest and crop management in northern Michigan. She is responsible for developing and conducting research and integrated crop management training programs to address the priority needs of the Michigan fruit industry. She also has responsibilities in research and joint outreach programming with other MSU fruit experiment stations.

Erin obtained her bachelor degree in forestry from Michigan Technological University in 2005, and her master of science degree in plant pathology from Michigan State University in 2007. Her MSU plant pathology work investigated fungicide resistance in cherry leaf spot and American brown rot, the two major pathogens in cherry. Erin also worked for the NWMHRS as a research technician in 2005. 

Jackie Baase

Provides secretarial support to the Coordinator, Farm Manager, and District Fruit IPM Agent at the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station by performing work characteristic of a receptionist, bookkeeper, typist, and general clerical assistant in order to facilitate optimal functioning of Station work flow. Also coordinates scheduling and billing for a faculty-student dormitory and conference facility located on the Station property.  Jackie has been on staff since 1981.

Bill Klein

Farm Manager for the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station in Traverse City since 1983.  He oversees the research plots for the various fruit crops (cherry, apple, plum, peach, apricot, grape and nuts) and the upkeep and maintenance of the facilities.   Bill's personal web page can be reached at http://www.msu.edu/user/kleinw/

Myron Anderson

Myron is the Horticultural Aide at the Station.  His job is to help maintain the various research plots and  related equipment.  Myron has worked at the Station since 1988.

Karen joined the staff in the summer of 2006 as a Research Aide.

Alison Heins

Alison began working at the Station in 1996. Athought she has recently retired, she will continue to work on special projects as needed.

Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu

Last Revised: 1-3-08