Karla Kean

Karla Kean earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture and Minor in Agronomy from Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield Missouri in May of 1997. In March of 1998, Kean came to Tennessee after accepting a position with University of Tennessee Extension in Montgomery County. In this capacity she served in a split position as a 4-H/Agriculture agent with responsibilities mainly in the horticulture area. During this time she attended Winter School at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and earned her Master’s Degree in Agriculture and Extension Education in 2004. Her thesis study included gathering information on the importance of shade trees and natural learning opportunities in childcare centers throughout Montgomery County. In September of 2005 Kean left Extension to pursue a brief career as the City Forester in Clarksville. During this time she earned her accreditation as an International Society of Arboriculture- Certified Arborist and became actively involved as a board member of the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. By spring of 2007 she realized that her true desire was to work with people by way of Extension programs. In March of 2007, Tennessee State University employed her as a temporary horticulture agent and then she interviewed for and obtained the horticulture/small farms agent position in Montgomery County and she has served in this capacity since August 2007. Karla is a long standing member of Tennessee Association for Agriculture Agents & Specialist’s and the National Association of County Agriculture Agents. She is also a member of the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council [former Executive Board member] and member of the International Society of Arboriculture-Southern Chapter. Karla is married to husband, Willis and they have 3 children [Amber, Christina, and Patrick] and 4 grandchildren. Karla and Willis are active members of Bethlehem United Methodist Church where Willis serves as a trustee and both work together to conduct the children’s church program.