Jon has been working in tree fruit research and Extension for nearly 30 years. First, at the University of Vermont as a Field Research Technician beginning in 1989 where he minded the University Orchards and worked with faculty on various research and Extension grants, including one of the first SARE (formerly known as LISA) funded projects, “A Low Input Management System for Sustainable Apple Production.” While at UVM, Jon also received his M.S. Degree in Plant & Soil Sciences while researching productivity and fruit quality of McIntosh apple trees under varying pruning regimes. Them in 1998 Jon accepted the role of Berrien County Extension Horticulture Agent at Michigan Sate University where he worked with fruit and vegetable growers in the County on mostly horticultural production of apples, pears, peaches, and cherries.

In 2000 Jon and his family moved back to New England when offered the position of Extension Tree Fruit Specialist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Now he provides Massachusetts apple, pear, and peach growers with horticultural, Integrated Pest Management, and orchard technology information and advice for them to remain productive and profitable in the face of increased urbanization and weather-based production challenges. Jon also plants and cares for fruit trees at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown where he is based, for applied research and demonstration of new varieties, planting systems, plant growth regulators, and nutrient management. Massachusetts was the 3rd State to join NEWA (after NY and VT) and Jon is constantly pushing his growers to look at new technology as a way of better managing pests and improving production, including the use of decision-support applications provided by NEWA and others.