Dr. Ted Carey claims Gilford, New Hampshire as his hometown, but in reality had more international travel experience before he began college than most people do in their entire lives. Before he turned eighteen, Carey had lived in India and Nigeria for eight years of his childhood, as his father’s career in virus research with the Rockefeller Foundation took the family around the world. Carey decided to pursue plant science in college as an avenue for international service, as apparently he does not have a stomach for blood like his father.

Following the completion of his Doctorate, Carey took a position with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Cali, Colombia, where he worked as a cassava breeder. Carey then went to work for the International Potato Center (CIP) in 1988 as a sweet potato breeder in Lima, Peru and then Nairobi, Kenya. Finally, in 1999 Carey came back to the United States as an Associate Professor with Kansas State University, excited for the opportunity to work in fruit and vegetable extension. He was promoted to full Professor in July 2007. During his time in Kansas, Dr. Carey has served a 60% Research and 40% Extension contract, but as he states, “the research and extension seem to blend together rather well, as one supports the other.” A significant part of Carey’s efforts focus on High Tunnels, studying the effects of organic practices on fruit and vegetable crop production. Also, Carey helped develop and is responsible for Growing Growers, an apprenticeship-based market farmer training program in the Kansas City metro area.

In addition to his research in Olathe, Carey also has studies based in Wichita, working on sweet potato variety selection, cultivar evaluation and certified organic seed production. As Carey states, “ [sweet potatoes] are highly nutritious and well adapted to Kansas soils. There is potential for a significant increase in production.”

Outside his career at K-State, Dr. Carey enjoys reading widely, exercise: swimming, running, bicycling; international travel; and spending time with his children, relatives and friends.