John Fech’s interest in a career involving science and plants stemmed from a desire to understand why plants grew as they did and what factors influenced their growth.
Fech, Nebraska Extension educator in Douglas-Sarpy County, is a horticulturist and a certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture.
Fech was born in Aurora, Illinois, and grew up in Lincoln. He earned a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture in 1982 and a master’s degree in turfgrass science in 1985, both from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
He began his extension career with an internship with the Lancaster County Extension office in the summer of 1981, where he initially focused on learning real world horticultural issues and the information required to create healthy landscapes and help clients solve problems. He followed that up in 1982 as an extension assistant doing similar engagement. In 1985 he went to work at the University of Illinois Extension where he interacted with golf course superintendents, sod producers, lawn care operators and sports turf managers to implement best management practices.
In 1987, Fech returned to Nebraska Extension, where he devotes his time to teaching effective landscape maintenance techniques, promoting water conservation, diagnosing turf and ornamental problems, and encouraging effective bilingual communication within the green industry.
When asked about his favorite aspect of his job, Fech cited the freedom to identify audience needs and deliver research-based information to meet those needs. His outreach efforts include presentations, a blog, newsletters, in-person teaching, Master Gardener support and virtual webinars. He has authored two books and over 400 articles for popular and trade journals.Fech also collaborates extensively with the media to promote landscape sustainability.
Fech is an Extension Educator Affiliate in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. This is a new program to strengthen connections between extension educators and department faculty in research, teaching and extension activities.
