Washington State University has announced that Dr. Brook Brouwer will serve as the new county director for San Juan County.

Brouwer received his PhD from WSU in crop and soil sciences. His dissertation was on plant breeding for regional food systems in Western Wash.

The Islands have been a locale for some of his research on livestock production and botany.

According to WSU, Brook is a “natural convener and experienced educator.”

His anticipated start date is June 6.

A biography on WSU’s website states that Brouwer grew up on a small sheep farm on Lopez Island. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Colorado College in 2008.

He has worked as a farm hand on Lopez raising cattle, hogs, goats and poultry. His past research experience includes conducting botanical surveys, investigating riparian nitrogen dynamics, and the traditional ecological management of Camas Lilies.

Fascinated by the question of how to maintain productive farms and functioning ecosystems, Brook began his Ph.D. research in January 2012 on low-input grain crop systems for mid- to small-scale farms.