1. CURRICULUM VITAE
Steve Oberle
Hidden View Farm
P.O. Box 658
Bayfield, WI 54814
e-mail: steveo7757@gmail.com
phone: 715-813-0894
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Soil Science (groundwater emphasis), University of Wisconsin-Madison, September 1988
M.A., Agricultural Economics (farm systems emphasis), UW-Madison, December 1987
M.S., Soil Science (soil fertility/plant nutrition emphasis), UW-Madison, May 1985
B.S., Agriculture (agronomy emphasis), University of Maryland-College Park, December 1982
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
September 2010 to present: Owner-operator, Hidden View Farm – 78 acre, mixed, organic apple
orchard, organic lavender, and wooded farm in Bayfield County Wisconsin. Part-time consultant:
Oberle Agro-Environmental Consulting Services.
May 1998 – April 2013: County Conservationist and Land Conservation Department Head, Taylor
County, Wisconsin. Plan, develop, and implement programs in land and water conservation and
protection, farmland preservation, groundwater/wellhead protection, drinking water education/testing,
forestry BMP’s, watershed planning/management/protection; conservation planning and
financial/technical assistance, shoreline protection/rehabilitation, nutrient management planning, soil
sampling/testing, soil ecology/quality and management, wetland restoration, K-12 conservation
education, invasive species management/control, among others.
July 1995 - Dec. 1997: Agricultural Management-Water Quality Educator, University of Wisconsin
Extension-Cooperative Extension Service. Education and outreach in the development and
implementation of sound natural resource utilization, land use/water quality management and
nutrient and pest management alternatives that protect and maintain quality of groundwater, surface
water, soil resources and agricultural sustainability.
Aug. 1994 - July 1995: Extension Soil Fertility/Water Quality Specialist, Washington State
University. Extension and applied research in soil fertility and water quality emphasizing nutrient
management in soil-conserving farming systems. Soil fertility management of evolving dryland
farming systems to improve crop productivity and quality, to protect water quality, and to conserve
land and water resources. Development of nutrient management and resource conservation
strategies for sustainable and site-specific soil and crop management.
Aug. 1991 - Aug. 1994: Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) Water Quality Regional
Education Coordinator, Agronomy Extension, ISU. USDA-Extension Service representative on
interagency (USDA, USEPA, USGS) MSEA Coordination Team. Co-Chair of interagency (USDA,
USEPA, USGS) Midwest Regionalization Program. Coordinate and integrate water quality research,
database and technology development, information-education, and technology transfer related
activities in the Midwest region.
July 1990 - Aug. 1991: Associate Research Scientist, Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Solid
Waste Management Center. Joint research project between UW-Stevens Point, WI Dep. of Natural
Resources, the City of Portage, and two cooperating farmers to investigate the feasibility of utilizing

2. municipal solid waste-derived compost on agricultural land. Specific objectives included collection
and analysis of compost, soil, plant tissue, and water samples for the evaluation of plant nutrient and
metal loading; crop (corn and soybean) yield and quality effects; soil fertility status; and potential
groundwater impact.
Aug. 1988 - Dec. 1989: Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS New England Plant, Soil, & Water Lab, Orono,
Maine. Cooperative research-extension project between ARS, CES, the Maine Potato Board, and
the Mid-Maine Young Farmers. The primary objective of this project was to compile and integrate
research information related to potato production and management in the Northeast for development
of a potato production and management information system.
May 1985 - Aug. 1988: Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant, Univ. of WI-Madison, Dept. of Soil
Science. General objectives to evaluate the effects of soil type, precipitation and fertilizer nitrogen
on corn grain yields, to investigate the feasibility of using a systems approach to provide site-specific
nitrogen management recommendations, and to develop decision support system software to aid
corn growers, county extension agents, agricultural consultants, and agribusiness personnel in
determining corn fertilizer nitrogen needs, and in improving nitrogen use efficiency.
Jan. 1983 - May 1985: M.S. Graduate Research Assistant, Univ. of WI-Madison, Dept. of Soil
Science. Extensive laboratory and field research to estimate the extent of nitrogen loss through
ammonia volatilization from surface-applied urea-containing fertilizers under Wisconsin conditions,
evaluate methods proposed for control of nitrogen loss through ammonia volatilization, and
determine the effects of nitrogen loss through ammonia volatilization on corn and grass pasture
yields and nitrogen uptake.
June 1981 - Dec. 1982: Biological Aide (Soils), USDA-ARS Soil Nitrogen and Environmental
Chemistry Lab, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland. Conducted field and
laboratory studies to determine nitrogen mineralization rates and microbial biomass differences
among different tillage systems.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
* Taylor County Representative and Treasurer, Northwest WI Land Conservation Association, 1998-
present)
* Chair, American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Division A-8, Integrated Agricultural Systems,
(1998-2000)
* Chair, Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education, Multi-Dimensional Research
and Problem Solving Task Force (1998-2000)
* Member, Soil & Water Conservation Society Land Application of Biosolids Task Force (1995-7)
* Panelist, USDA-CSREES Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Program and USEPA Agriculture in Concert with the Environment Program, (1995)
* Reviewer, Pacific Northwest Sustainable Agricultural Systems In-Service Education Small Grants
Project, (1995)
* Member, Pacific Northwest Canola Research Committee (1995)
* Chair and Co-founder, ASA Division A-8, Integrated Agricultural Systems (1993-5)
* Panelist, Agricultural Systems Program Area, USDA-CSRS National Research Initiative
Competitive Grants Program, (1994)
* Co-Chair ASA North Central Branch Program Committee (1994)
* Co-Chair interagency (USDA, USEPA, USGS) Midwest Regionalization Program Implementation
Plan Committee, (1993-4)
* Co-Chair interagency (USDA, USEPA, USGS) Technical Task Committee for Regionalization,
(1992-3)
* Chair ASA Feasibility Committee on Integration of ASWG and Division A-8, (A201.8.1), (1993)

3. * Chair ASA Agricultural Systems Working Group (ASWG), A201.8, (1991-1993)
AWARDS, HONORS, AND RECOGNITION
* Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, Phi Kappa Phi
* Iowa Academy of Science
* North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Workshop Graduate Student Award
* Graduated Cum Laude, B.S. Agriculture, University of Maryland-College Park
* Delaware-Maryland-Virginia (Delmarva) Plant Food Assn. Scholarship
* Vice-President, President, Agronomy Club, Univ. of Maryland
* President, Alpha Zeta Honors Fraternity, Univ. of Maryland
PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTS
Journal Articles
Oberle, S.L., and L.G. Bundy. 1987. Ammonia volatilization from nitrogen fertilizers surface-applied to
corn (Zea mays) and grass pasture (Dactylis glomerata). Biol. Fertil. Soils. 4:185-192.
Bundy, L.G., and S.L. Oberle. 1988. Evaluation of methods for control of ammonia volatilization from
surface-applied urea-containing fertilizers. J. Fert. Issues. 5:24-30.
Oberle, S.L., and D.R. Keeney. 1990. Soil type, precipitation, and fertilizer N effects on corn yields. J.
Prod. Agric. 3:522-527.
Oberle, S.L., and D.R. Keeney. 1990. Factors influencing corn fertilizer N requirements in the northern
U.S. Corn Belt. J. Prod. Agric. 3:527-534.
Oberle, S.L., and D.R. Keeney. 1991. A case for agricultural systems research. J. Environ. Qual. 20:4-7.
Alessi, R.S., S.L. Oberle, and M.E. Mayhew. 1994. Systems engineering principles and applications for
the design of a whole-farm information system. J. Prod. Agric. 7:135-143.
Burkart, M.R., S.L. Oberle, M.J. Hewitt, and J. Pickus. 1994. A framework for regional agroecosystems
characterization using the national resources inventory. J. Environ. Qual. 23:866-874.
Oberle, S.L. 1994. Farming systems options for U.S. agriculture: An agroecological perspective. J. Prod.
Agric. 7:119-123.
Oberle, S.L., and M.R. Burkart. 1994. Water resource implications of Midwest agroecosystems. J.
Environ. Qual. 23:4-8.
Clay, S., and S. Oberle. 1996. Alternative weed management strategies symposium: An overview. J.
Prod. Agric. 9:467-468.
Invited Papers
Oberle, S.L., and D.R. Keeney. 1994. Interactions of sewage sludge with soil-crop-water systems.
p. 17-20. In C.E. Clapp, W.E. Larson, and R.H. Dowdy (eds.) Sewage sludge: Land utilization and the
environment. SSSA Misc. Publ. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI.
Burkart, M.R., D.E. James, S.L. Oberle, and M.J. Hewitt. 1995. Exploring diversity within regional
agroecosystems. p.195-223. In C.A. Francis (ed.) Exploring the role of diversity in sustainable
agriculture. ASA Spec. Publ. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI.

4. Oberle, S.L. 1997. Pesticides and water quality - What the public should know. In Proc. of the Fourth
Annual Wisconsin Water Law Conference. Univ. of Wisconsin Law School and Univ. of Wisconsin
Extension. May 6, 1997. Stevens Point, WI.
Oberle, S.L. 1997. Agroecology and the Midwest Regionalization Program. In North Central
Sustainable Agriculture Training Program Manual - Linking People, Purpose and Place: An
Ecological Approach to Agriculture. North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education
Project. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. July 29, 1997.
Morris, MN.
Conference Proceedings
Oberle, S.L., and L.G. Bundy. 1984. Ammonia volatilization from surface-applied urea-containing
fertilizers. In Proc. of the 1984 Wisconsin Fert., Aglime and Pest Mngmnt. Conf. 23:45-57.
Oberle, S.L., D.R. Keeney, L.G. Bundy, and K.A. Kelling. 1987. Development of a nitrogen
management model for corn in Wisconsin. In Proc. of the 1987 Wisconsin Fert., Aglime and Pest
Mngmnt. Conf. 26:76-97.
Bundy, L.G., S.L. Oberle, and D.R. Keeney. 1989. Demonstration of the Wisconsin nitrogen
management model. In Proc. of the 1989 Wisconsin Fert., Aglime and Pest Mngmnt. Conf. 28:11-13.
Oberle, S.L., S. Killpack, B. Giebink, M. Smith, K. Wertz, L. Brown, and J. Anderson. 1993. Defining
and strengthening relationships between the research and education components of the MSEA
program. p. 200-202. In Proc. Agricultural Research to Protect Water Quality Conf., Minneapolis,
MN, 21-24 Feb.1993. SWCS, USDA, USEPA, USGS.
Oberle, S.L., and D.R. Karlen (eds.) 1995. Developing sustainable farming systems: Social,
economic, and environmental considerations. Proc. of ASA North Central Branch Meetings, Des
Moines, IA, 1-3 Aug. 1994. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI. 47p.
Abstracts
Oberle, S.L., and L.G. Bundy. 1984. Ammonia volatilization from surface-applied urea-containing
fertilizers. p. 215. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L., D.R. Keeney, L.G. Bundy, and R.M. Klemme. 1986. Development of a nitrogen
management model for corn in Wisconsin. p. 210. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Keeney, D.R., and S.L. Oberle. 1989. A case for agricultural systems research. p. 38. In Agronomy
abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Leach, S.S., S.L. Oberle and W.M. Clapham. 1989. An expert system for commercial potato
production and management. p. 138. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L., W.M. Clapham, and S.S. Leach. 1989. An expert system for potato disease diagnosis.
In Potato Assn. of America abstracts. PAA, Orono, ME.
Oberle, S.L., D.R. Keeney, L.G. Bundy, and J.P. Norback. 1989. Nitrogen management in the
northern U.S. Corn Belt: A decision support system. p. 248. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison,
WI.
Oberle, S.L., J.P. Norback, D.R. Keeney, and L.G. Bundy. 1990. NITRO: A nitrogen management

5. information system for corn production. p. 72. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L. 1990. Agriculture, ecology, and a new millennium. p. 44. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA,
Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L. 1991. NITRO: A nitrogen management information system for corn production. p. 96. In
Conference Proceedings: Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA.
Oberle, S.L. 1991. Agroecology: Origins and insights. p. 80. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison,
WI.
Oberle, S.L. 1992. Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA): A Midwest water quality initiative.
In Iowa Academy of Science abstracts. IAS, Cedar Falls, IA.
Oberle, S.L. 1992. The Midwest Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) water quality
initiative. p. 51. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Alessi, R.S., S. Oberle, and G. Goreham. 1993. Tools for user-oriented problem definition prior to
research development: Case study involving an integrated farm management system. Submitted for
Technology Transfer Society Annual Conference, June 26-29, Ann Arbor, MI.
Alessi, R.S., S.L. Oberle, and D.L. Karlen. 1993. Techniques for group interaction among farmers
agricultural specialists, and researchers. p. 75. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Alessi, R.S., M.E. Mayhew, and S.L. Oberle. 1994. Postmodern responsive constructivism applied to
focus groups, technology development, and problem solving. p. 84. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA,
Madison, WI.
Alessi, R.S., and S.L. Oberle. 1994. Systems thinking and terminology. p. 80. In Agronomy abstracts.
ASA, Madison, WI.
Burkart, M.R., S.L. Oberle, and M.J. Hewitt. 1994. A preliminary assessment of regional diversity
within Midwest agroecosystems using the National Resources Inventory. p. 81. In Agronomy
abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L., M.R. Burkart, and M.J. Hewitt. 1994. Midwest agroecosystems characteristics from the
National Resources Inventory. p. 81. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L. 1998. Agriculture, ecology, and a new millennium. Program of the 1998 Joint Annual
Meeting of the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) and the Agriculture, Food, and
Human Values Society (AFHVS), June 4-7, 1998, San Francisco, CA.
Oberle, S.L. 1998. Agriculture, ecology, and a new millennium (Revisited). p. 77. In Agronomy
abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
U.S. Agency for International Development; Farmer to Farmer Program Volunteer: Ethiopia (2007),
Guatemala (2015).

6. information system for corn production. p. 72. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L. 1990. Agriculture, ecology, and a new millennium. p. 44. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA,
Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L. 1991. NITRO: A nitrogen management information system for corn production. p. 96. In
Conference Proceedings: Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA.
Oberle, S.L. 1991. Agroecology: Origins and insights. p. 80. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison,
WI.
Oberle, S.L. 1992. Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA): A Midwest water quality initiative.
In Iowa Academy of Science abstracts. IAS, Cedar Falls, IA.
Oberle, S.L. 1992. The Midwest Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) water quality
initiative. p. 51. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Alessi, R.S., S. Oberle, and G. Goreham. 1993. Tools for user-oriented problem definition prior to
research development: Case study involving an integrated farm management system. Submitted for
Technology Transfer Society Annual Conference, June 26-29, Ann Arbor, MI.
Alessi, R.S., S.L. Oberle, and D.L. Karlen. 1993. Techniques for group interaction among farmers
agricultural specialists, and researchers. p. 75. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Alessi, R.S., M.E. Mayhew, and S.L. Oberle. 1994. Postmodern responsive constructivism applied to
focus groups, technology development, and problem solving. p. 84. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA,
Madison, WI.
Alessi, R.S., and S.L. Oberle. 1994. Systems thinking and terminology. p. 80. In Agronomy abstracts.
ASA, Madison, WI.
Burkart, M.R., S.L. Oberle, and M.J. Hewitt. 1994. A preliminary assessment of regional diversity
within Midwest agroecosystems using the National Resources Inventory. p. 81. In Agronomy
abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L., M.R. Burkart, and M.J. Hewitt. 1994. Midwest agroecosystems characteristics from the
National Resources Inventory. p. 81. In Agronomy abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
Oberle, S.L. 1998. Agriculture, ecology, and a new millennium. Program of the 1998 Joint Annual
Meeting of the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) and the Agriculture, Food, and
Human Values Society (AFHVS), June 4-7, 1998, San Francisco, CA.
Oberle, S.L. 1998. Agriculture, ecology, and a new millennium (Revisited). p. 77. In Agronomy
abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
U.S. Agency for International Development; Farmer to Farmer Program Volunteer: Ethiopia (2007),
Guatemala (2015).