Former Police Officer Begins New Role in Nebraska Extension

Christopher (Chris) Termunde is a new Extension Instructor for Phelps, Harlan, Gosper, and Furnas Counties.

Before moving to Holdrege in October, Termunde served as a police officer in South Georgia.

“I have always loved being a service to my community, and this position in Nebraska Extension allows me to continue that service in a different way,” he said.

Termunde earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental horticulture with a concentration in Turf Science from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. He is working toward a master’s degree in plant pathology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the spring of 2026.

Termunde has been closely studying corn diseases, especially crown rot. He plans to broaden his field to include soybean and forage crop diseases and agronomics. His long-term goals include helping standardize the calculation of carbon credits and advance standardized, science-based carbon-credit calculations and help ensure that companies are required to use fair and consistent methods when buying credits.

“I am also interested in helping find agronomic opportunities and economic opportunities for the farmers of my area,” he said.

When he is not working, Termunde enjoys building computers and reading. He is also an avid gun collector and marksman and is looking forward to competing in three-gun events. He enjoys staying active in community life and is looking for groups where he can contribute.

From the PCDC Business Journal, Winter 2026