Rate My Professor Rick Bates

Rick Bates, Ph.D., is a Professor of Horticulture in Agricultural and Veterinary Science at Penn State University’s Department of Plant Science. As Extension Specialist in Ornamental Horticulture, he develops educational programs for woody ornamental producers and county extension personnel in Pennsylvania, focusing on pot-in-pot production systems, nutrient management, plant establishment and survival, and promotion of new conifer species. He also leads Christmas tree production and management initiatives, including species selection, vegetation management, fertilization, shearing, post-harvest handling, and the annual Christmas Tree Management Short Course. Bates’ research enhances profitability and competitiveness in the nursery and Christmas tree industries, improves establishment and survivability of bare-root trees, addresses Christmas tree post-harvest quality, and manages Rhabdocline in Douglas fir. His interests extend to informal seed systems in Southeast Asia, temperate zone woody plants, and extension advisory systems for developing countries.

Bates earned a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Virginia Tech in 1994, an M.S. in Horticulture from West Virginia University in 1986, and a B.S. in Agriculture from West Virginia University in 1981. His career trajectory includes Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Montana State University from 1994 to 2000, followed by Assistant Professor at Penn State from 2000 to 2006, Associate Professor from 2006 to 2012, and Professor since 2012. He received a Fulbright Award for lecturing and research in Thailand from 2011 to 2012 and has secured USAID grants for projects like the Women in Agriculture Network in Cambodia and strengthening indigenous seed systems in Southeast Asia. Key publications include "Conservation agriculture enhances soil biodiversity and fertility: Evidence from contrasting soil textures in Cambodia" (2025, Pedobiologia), "Barriers of Women in Acquiring Leadership Positions in Agricultural Cooperatives: The Case of Cambodia" (2023, Rural Sociology), "Peru potato potential: Biodiversity conservation and value chain development" (2018, Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems), and "Postharvest characteristics of Canaan fir and Fraser fir Christmas trees" (2004, HortScience). Bates is a member of the American Society for Horticultural Science, International Plant Propagators Society, and Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association.