The Corn Feed

Dr. Barney Bernstein is the director of trait marketing and sales at BASF Plant Science, L.P. As director, Bernstein leads the NutriDense® marketing and sales organization and is responsible for trait out-licensing efforts in crops outside the Monsanto collaboration. He also serves on the BASF leadership team and directs several marketing innovation projects. Dr. Bernstein started his professional career as a research chemist at American Cyanamid, where he worked in several research and marketing positions. He joined BASF in 1998 after 13 years with American Cyanamid and has been in his current position since 2002. In addition to fulfilling his BASF duties, Bernstein donates his free time by serving on the board of directors for community-based organizations. He received a B.S. in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1985 from the University of Maryland.

A founding member of BASF Plant Science, L.P., Dr. Jonathan Bryant currently serves as vice president of North American business. With extensive knowledge in agriculture and biotechnology, Bryant successfully manages all BASF Plant Science operations in the United States. His current duties include the oversight and administration for all U.S. functions with emphasis on business development, merger and acquisitions, project and innovation management, breeding, sales and marketing, IT, and communications. He is a member of the BASF Plant Science global leadership team, a part of BASF Corporation’s executive team for North America and is a project leader looking at innovation within BASF’s U.S. business platforms. Bryant received a B.S. Honors in Agriculture from the University of Reading, England in 1981. Later he received a M.S. in Bioaeronautics from Cranfield University, England, in 1982, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from Pennsylvania State University in 1989.

Karlie Justus is a contributing writer for the NutriDense blog. She grew up around the apple industry of Western North Carolina, where she received her first taste of ag journalism in high school by covering the annual Apple Festival for the local newspaper. Previously, Justus served as a public information officer and social media coordinator for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and the N.C. State Fair, where she assisted with the organizations’ public affairs, online outreach and community development. She holds a B.A. in Communication and minors in Journalism and Business Management from N.C. State University.

Courtney Beck is the NutriDense Blog editor and a contributing writer. Beck has consulted for a number of agriculture-based groups, including the N.C. Department of Agriculture and the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service. An avid reader and learner, Beck is particularly interested in discussions about sustainable agriculture and the food supply. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a M.S. in Extension Education from North Carolina State University.

Jerry Weigel is the manager of nutrition and technical service for BASF Plant Science, L.P. Weigel began his professional career with Savannah Foods and Industries as the director of nutrition, quality control and regulatory affairs. He later went on to serve as first the director of nutrition then the vice president of nutrition with Archer Daniels Midland Company. After 17 years with Archer Daniels, Weigel became the director of nutrition and technical services at ExSeed Genetics. He joined BASF Plant Science in 2001 after its acquisition of ExSeed Genetics. Weigel serves on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Animal Science and the U.S. Grains Council. He was raised on a commercial cattle feeding and farming operation in eastern Nebraska, and received his B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska and his M.S. from the University of Florida.

Heather Goode, NutriDense communications manager, supports the sales and marketing teams and works with field program managers and nutritionists in the grain and silage markets. Prior to joining BASF Plant Science, she was a client service advisor at Quarry Integrated Communications Inc. in Durham, N.C., where she worked on the Novartis Animal Health business. Goode began her career on the crop chemical side, working on the Syngenta Crop Protection horticulture business at Gibbs & Soell, Inc. in Raleigh, N.C. She also serves as chapter treasurer for the Carolinas-Virginia chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association. Goode graduated from the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, and holds a B.A. in Communication and B.F.A. in Theatre Performing Arts.