Ashley Elle, an experienced horticulturist, has been named an instructor in Texas Tech University's Department of Plant and Soil Science, according to officials with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. She officially stepped into new her teaching post on Sept. 1.

The Southland native indicated that she's interested in sustainable food systems that can be produced in West Texas and other semi-arid climates focused on food security. One of her goals is to improve methods of assessing undergraduate learning and improving curriculum content quality through technology.

"I'm particularly interested in plant species with high nutritional value and species that are currently native to our climate region," she said.

Elle has worked as a horticulturist with Lubbock's George Elle Apple Orchard and Food Bank Farm, designing yearly crop production and cover crop layouts, as well as varieties and crop rotations. She also served as an environmental horticulturist with the University of California Cooperative Extension Service, and a horticulturist and research greenhouse manager with E&J Gallo Winery-Life Sciences in Modesto, Calif.

Prior to joining the Texas Tech faculty, Elle served as a horticulture instructor with the plant and soil science department in 2010. She also worked as a graduate teaching assistant teaching principles of horticulture, and developing an assessment program. Earlier, as a teaching assistant, she taught 10 laboratory sections. Elle received her bachelor's and master's degrees in horticulture from Texas Tech. Her doctorate in agronomy is from Texas Tech. She is a member of the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Richard Zartman, Department Chair and Leidigh Professor of Soil Physics, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2838 or richard.zartman@ttu.edu

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