Mask Takes Reins as Assistant Director

Auburn, Nov. 11, 2003 --- Helping Alabama Cooperative Extension System agents adjust to one of the most far-reaching reorganizations in Extension’s 85-year history is the immediate goal of Dr. Paul Mask, who recently assumed the reins as assistant director for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources programs.

Mask will play a major role in helping transform the Extension System from a primarily county-delivered program into one in which highly specialized agents will work across county lines. 

“My goal is to help make this transition as smooth as possible for agents,” Mask said.  “Yes, it represents change, but it also offers tremendous opportunities for agents to do what they are trained to do.” 

As one of his long-term goals, Mask will work to ensure that all sectors of Alabama’s agriculture, forestry and natural resources industry are primed to withstand the already immense pressures associated with global economic competition.

“All three of these groups --- agriculture, forestry and natural resources --- have huge challenges focused on them at the moment,” Mask said.  “In agriculture, there is already a widespread concern among our producers about competing successfully with their counterparts in China and South America.  So, obviously, one of our most pressing needs is to equip Extension educators so that they will be in a better position to help our producers compete globally.”

But, as Mask stressed, it is a challenge not limited only to agriculture.

“South America already is preparing to become a world-class provider of forestry products,” Mask said.  “They’re already getting into pulp manufacturing in a big way, and saw timber isn’t far behind.  And they have many advantages such as a favorable climate and an inexpensive labor force.

“Yes, we can still compete, but one of our priorities must be sitting down, putting our heads together and figuring out how this can be done in ways that are both economically and environmentally sustainable.”

A native of Fayette County, Ga., Mask was raised on a family farm on what he said would be described today as “a direct marketing operation.”  He and his family raised more than 5,000 hens and maintained a delivery route through which they sold the eggs.  In addition to raising contract pullets, they also dealt with cotton, cattle and corn.  Pimento peppers were another specialty.

Mask holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from Georgia State University.  He earned his master’s in agronomy and soils from the University of Georgia, where he specialized in plant and bacterial nutrition.  His doctorate is from Ohio State University, where he specialized in studies dealing with carbohydrate nutrition and how this specifically relates to nitrogen fixation within plants.

After completing his doctorate, Mask was hired by what was then known as the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service at Auburn University to work as an agronomist specializing in grains crops. 

He quickly developed an interest in alternative crops, working extensively with sweet sorghum and cane syrup production and, more recently, with canola.

Roughly eight years ago, he became interested in precision agriculture --- specifically how space technology acquired through NASA programs could be used in farming applications.  His interest and close working relationship with NASA ultimately led to his being named a NASA Space Grant geospatial Extension specialist, responsible for precision farming-related programs.

Mask is married to the former Cindy Skillman, a New York native, who works as an artist.  They have two children, Austin, 19, an Auburn University student, and Janine, 17, an Auburn High School senior.

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