Ben Brown
What are your duties at AEDE? 
In a way, I am still figuring this out! I will design and implement a farm management program that addresses the farm management challenges faced by Ohioans including: marketing and price analysis, farm financial management, risk management, agricultural processing and production, policy trends and changes, and whole farm success. My role is to bridge AEDE’s research and teaching with extension specialists to provide the transition of knowledge from university to farm gate and from farm gate to university. As a member of the department’s Outreach and Extension Committee, I will work to develop outreach strategies the expand the footprint of AEDE’s knowledge around the state.
What are you looking forward to the most about working with the faculty, staff and students in the department?
I am excited for the opportunity to learn from AEDE’s faculty, staff and students about the rich agricultural tradition that exists in Ohio. The genuine caring attitude of Ohio State University and its people is what brought me here. Diverse backgrounds within the agriculture sector and the level of expertise within the department make OSU an attractive place to start and expand a career. The next few years will bring new challenges to the industry as the world adapts to changes in population and per capita income along with pressures from limited agricultural resources and new pests/ diseases. Agriculture continues to be one of the most exciting industries to work in and the members of AEDE have all the capabilities to be leaders in the new frontier.
What do you like to do in your free time?
My family and friends mean the world to me and a portion of my free time is dedicated to sustaining those social connections. Outside of them, I enjoy reading books about popular events in our country’s history and topics surrounding leadership and personal growth. My favorite books to read are presidential autobiographies or those written by their children. I enjoy any and all activities outside including: fishing, hunting, hiking, biking and sporting events. My favorite sports teams are Kansas State University Wildcats and Kansas City Royals, but I am growing to like Columbus area sports teams. I’m an active member in Alumni Associations of the National FFA Association and Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.
Sarah Cole
What are your duties at AEDE? 
I oversee student services (advising, recruitment, alumni, and career development) for all AEDE programs. I serve as the primary contact for current PhD and MAE students and for the Graduate School and fellowship processes. I also facilitate TA and RA assignments and coordinate the master schedule of course offerings.
What are you looking forward to the most about working with the faculty, staff and students in the department?
I am excited to work in a department that has a diverse set of skillsets amongst its faculty, staff and students in hopes of leveraging these to continuously improve the experience of AEDE students.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I volunteer with a local dog rescue for ex-racing greyhounds called Central Ohio Greyhound Rescue. I occasionally foster dogs who are going through extensive leg-repair surgeries to get them recovered and adoptable. I also enjoy farmer’s markets, hiking with my dog, gardening and playing board games.
Andy Lugar
What are your duties at AEDE? 
I assist students throughout the admission process for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs in AEDE.
What are you looking forward to the most about working with the faculty, staff and students in the department?
Getting to know everyone. Each person I have met has been so welcoming! I am looking forward to being a part of an amazing team of faculty, students, and staff.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my wife, Becky, and my one-year-old daughter, Madelyn. I am currently training for a 10K run in hopes to eventually running a half marathon, but love being outdoors whenever possible.