Our lab has more than 100 years of experience in seed inspection, regulation and testing. An alphabetical listing of the staff follows:
David Buckingham, Seed Regulatory Coordinator, is a native of Red Cross, KY. He has B.S. degrees in Agriculture, Biology and Chemistry from Western Kentucky University. He also has an M.S. in Education and Agriculture. David served in the U.S. Army and was a Food Inspection Specialist. He began with Regulatory Services nearly 29 years ago as an inspector in the Bowling Green area and accepted direction of the Regulatory Program 14 years ago. In directing the Seed Regulatory Program, he is responsible for administering the Kentucky Seed Law.
Cindy Finneseth, Seed Testing Coordinator is a native of Corbin, KY. She holds B.S. degrees from UK in Agriculture and Journalism as well as an M.S. in Plant and Soil Science. Cindy has been employed at the University for more than 11 years, first as a County Agent in Franklin County, and has been with Regulatory Services for seven years. She is responsible for the direction of the seed testing program, which serves the seed industry of the state. In addition, Cindy is a Certified Seed Analyst in germination and purity.
Beth Nichol, Germination Analyst, is a native of Hilton, NY and has a B.S. in Business from SUNY. She has been with Regulatory Services for 13 years, as a staff assistant and as a germination analyst. Beth is a Certified Seed Analyst in germination and is responsible for planting and evaluation of various seed kinds tested in the lab.
Karen Nichol, Staff Assistant, is a native of New York and has an A.A. degree from BCTCS. She has been with Regulatory Services for four years, as a student worker in the soil testing laboratory and currently as the staff assistant for the seed regulatory and service programs. Karen is responsible for all office functions for both programs.
Nining Wartidiningsih Sutardjo, Purity Analyst, is a native of Indonesia and has been working in the Division for 15 years. She has an M.S. in Horticulture and is a Certified Seed Analyst in germination and purity. She conducts evaluations of seed samples for pure seed, inert matter, weed seed, crop seed and noxious weeds.
Tina Tillery, Lab Supervisor, is a native of Concord, TN and has been with Regulatory Services for 29 years. She has a B.S. in Agriculture and holds certification as a Registered Seed Technologist (RST) and as an International Seed Technologist (IST). In addition, Tina is a Certified Seed Analyst in germination and purity. She manages the seed lab staff and tests seed lots for pure seed, inert matter, weed seed, crop seed and noxious weeds and conducts specialty tests, including endophyte evaluations.
Kent Von Lanken, Purity Analyst, grew up in Hopkinsville, KY and graduated from UK with a B.S. in Agronomy. He is a Certified Seed Analyst in germination and purity as well as being a Registered Seed Technologist (RST)and an International Seed Technologist (IST). Kent has been with Regulatory Services for the past 22 years and is responsible for evaluation of seed samples for pure seed, inert matter, weed seed, crop seed and noxious weeds.
Janice Zimmer, Germination Analyst, is originally from Warren, PA, but lived in Oldham Co., KY for many years. She has been working for Regulatory Services for five years. She has a B.S. degree in Natural Resource Conservation and Management from UK. Janice is a Certified Seed Analyst in germination and is responsible for planting and evaluation of various seed kinds tested in the lab.