Texas Coalition for Sustainable
Integrated Systems

Department of Plant & Soil Science
Forage/Livestock Systems Research Unit

Welcome to the TeCSIS Research Program in
Plant & Soil Science at Texas Tech University

Research Program

The Texas Coalition for Sustainable Integrated Systems Research Program (TeCSIS) is part of the Plant & Soil Science Department at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.   Our program is multidisciplinary with large interaction from various departments, universities, state agencies, government entities, companies, commodity groups and producers.

Dr. Chuck West, Ph.D. is the Thornton Distinguished Chair of Plant & Soil Science with Texas Tech University, directing the research and coordinating our overall TeCSIS-TAWC program (Texas Coalition for Sustainable Integrated Systems Research and the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation). He received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, and received his Ph.D. in Crop Production/Physiology in 1981 from Iowa State University. Dr. West is a fellow in Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). He received the Researcher of the Year Award in 1991 and again in 2003 from the Arkansas Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists, a Merit Award in 1993 from the American Forage and Grassland Council, an Outstanding Service Award in 1995 from the Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council, Teaching Award of Merit in 2004 from Gamma Sigma Delta- University of Arkansas Chapter, received the Fulbright Research Scholarship in 2005 from the Franco-American Commission for Educational Exchange, and the John W. White Team Award in 2012 from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture for "Developing and Revising the Arkansas Phosphorus Index". Dr. West's Society participation includes the American Society of Agronomy, American Forage and Grassland Council, Crop Science Society of America, Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture, Phi Beta Delta Society of International Scholars and Sigma Xi.

Future research will concentrate on quantifying the water use of forage crops and pastures as affected by grazing management in an effort to integrate forages into row-crop systems as a way to reduce the use of irrigation water while sustaining profitablity in our agricultural systems.

Mr. Philip Brown, M.S. is Senior Research Associate for the Thornton Distinguished Chair and program manager of our TeCSIS research program in charge of overall field, laboratory, office and computer operations, as well as supervision of all forage personnel.  He received his B.S. degree from Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX in 1983 and his M.S. in Crop Science from Texas Tech University in 1987. Mr. Brown became the full time Research Associate for the Forage Research Program in 1989 under Dr. Jerry Matches after a brief separation from Texas Tech working for the Texas A&M Agricultural Experiment Station, Lubbock, TX.  Mr. Brown received an Outstanding Achievement Award from Texas Tech in 1993, an Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to the Advancement of Agricultural Science and Education award from the College of Agriculture in 2003, the Top Techsan Staff Award in 2005 from the Texas Tech Alumni Association and the CASNR Research Staff Award in 2009.  Additional duties include web design and webmaster, class instruction, technical support, experimental field research systems design and implementation, and all computer graphics and presentation development as well as office administration.

 Mr. Paul Green, B.S. is our field Farm Manager responsible for equipment, data collection, sample preparation, and field maintenance and operations at our New Deal Agricultural Field Laboratory 6 miles east of New Deal and North of Idalou, TX.  He received his B.S. degree in University Studies from Texas Tech University in 2010. Mr. Green assists graduate students with projects and has primary responsibility in animal care, feeding and observation.  He maintains our forage equipment and New Deal Farm facilities as well as maintains the farm public water supply.  Paul brings extensive experience in drip irrigation, data collection and organizational skills, as well as surveying and supervisory skills and has been with our program currently as a Unit Manger since 2005.

Mr. Rick Kellison M.S., is our TAWC Project Director. He received his B.S. degree in Animal Business in 1972 and M.S. degree in Ruminant Nutrition in 1974 from Texas Tech University. Mr. Kellison directs the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation (TAWC) and works closely with producers, researchers and industry in the demonstration component of our TeCSIS-TAWC Program. Rick brings extensive professional experience in industry, owning and operating Kellison Fertilizer and Spraying from 1978-1998. He also has an extensive background in both crops and livestock operating his own registered Silver Creek Farm cow operation since 1995. Rick became the TAWC Project Director at its inception in 2004 and is an invaluable member of this team and its efforts to promote water conservation through improved management and innovative technologies.

For further information click the TAWC link from menu at left.

Christy Barbee became the newest member of the team joining the program in August, 2012 as a Unit Coordinator.  Christy has worked for Texas Tech since March of 2002; previously with the Department of English, Texas Tech University Advising, and the Division of Institutional Diversity.  She is the administrative coordinator for the TeCSIS-TAWC program, as well as serving as the primary administrative support for the program’s Thornton Chair, its senior research associate, TAWC Project Director, and our graduate students.   Christy received a bachelor’s degree in English in May of 2000 from Western State College in Colorado.  She is a recipient of TTU’s 2005 Chancellor’s Award of Excellence for Customer Service and was named Texas Tech’s Employee of the Year at the 2005 State Employee’s Award Banquet. 

• Texas Tech University, Department of Plant & Soil Science, P.O. Box 42122 Lubbock, TX 79409-2122
• 806.742.2774
• webmaster: philip.brown@ttu.edu

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©2012 Texas Tech University | All Rights Reserved | Updated: 11/2/2012