Rancher, Educator, Leader

What is it like to start a ranch/farm from scratch?

What is it like to make a mid-career shift?

How do you cope with an unsupportive boss?

Today on Conflict Managed we are joined by Dr. Emalee Buttrey, Director of Education, Programming, and Museum Experience at Discovery Park of America and owner, along with her family, of BERG Livestock. Listen in as Emalee tells us her experience of starting a family-owned ranch, changing careers, and dealing with difficult work situations.

Emalee wears many hats, her favorite one being of the cowboy variety. She is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She's also an educator, researcher, collaborator, and rancher. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in education, research, and communication, Emalee is currently the director of education, programming, and museum experience at Discovery Park of America, a state-of-the-art museum and heritage park in Union City, TN. As a member of the senior leadership team, she sets the strategic vision and manages implementation of Discovery Park's mission-oriented education initiatives and events. 

Prior to her current role, Emalee served as the assistant director of the honors programs and associate professor of animal science at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she also earned her bachelor's degree in animal science. She was a tenure-track faculty member at Louisiana Tech University and a research and extension associate with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service. She holds graduate degrees from Texas A&M University and West Texas A&M University. 

Emalee, her husband, and two children live in Martin, Tenn., where they own and operate BERG Livestock, a regenerative grazing operation. They raise cattle, sheep, and laying hens, marketing breeding cattle, grassfed lamb and pasture-raised eggs in the local community.

Emalee thrives in a team environment, valuing each individual and the skills he or she brings to the table. She's recently taken a keen interest in leadership development and coaching and can't wait to see what may come of that with respect to her on- and off-the farm roles.

Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services.