Faculty | PSC
Melanie Stock

Plants, Soils, and Climate
Assistant Professor, Urban & Small Farms Extension Specialist
Assistant Professor
Contact Information
Office Location: AGRS 326
SendEmail: melanie.stock@usu.edu
Educational Background
PhD, Soil Science, (Soil Physics and Geological Engineering), University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2018 Dissertation
Winter runoff processes after tillage and manure application in a dairy agroecosystem
MS, Soil Science, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2013 Thesis
Using soil temperature dynamics and ground-penetrating radar to investigate the subsurface habitat of eastern American toads (Anaxyrus americanus americanus) during winter
Licensures & Certifications
Associate Professional Soil Scientist, Soil Science Society of America, 2017
Biography
Dr. Stock is a soil scientist. Her lab focuses on high-value crops and resource use efficiency to improve the environmental sustainability and economic viability of small farms. Visit the Small Farms Lab at smallfarmslab.com + on Instagram! @usu_smallfarms
Teaching Interests
Community-based education through Extension outreach with microfarmers, master gardeners, and community gardens. Topics include cut flowers, high tunnels, backyard livestock, manure management, and soil fertility.
Research Interests
Adapting cut flower crops for Utah from basic cultivation methods to nutrient management and physics-based season extension, overwintering, and water-use efficiency.
Awards
DC Faculty Fellows , 2019
Utah State UniversityChamp Tanner Agricultural Physics Award, 2018
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Soil ScienceBest Student Speaker Award, 2017
American Water Resources Association, Wisconsin ChapterChamp Tanner Agricultural Physics Award, 2017
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Soil ScienceSoil and Water Management and Conservation: Student Oral Competition, 2nd place , 2017
Soil Science Society of AmericaWilliam Rothermel Soils Scholarship, 2017
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Soil ScienceChamp Tanner Agricultural Physics Award, 2016
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Soil ScienceRuth & Carl Miller Academic Merit Award, 2016
University of Wisconsin - MadisonSoil Physics and Hydrology Division Lightning Round, 2nd place, 2016
Soil Science Society of AmericaJaya Iyer Student Presentation Award, 2015
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Soil ScienceRichard D. Powell Memorial Scholarship, 2015
University of Wisconsin - MadisonRuth & Carl Miller Academic Merit Award, 2015
University of Wisconsin - MadisonG.A. Harris Fellowship, 2014
Decagon Devices, Inc.William T. Dible Terra International, Inc. Scholarship, 2014
University of Wisconsin - MadisonRichard D. Powell Memorial Scholarship, 2011
University of Wisconsin - MadisonPublications - Abstracts
- Stock, M., (2019). Cut Flowers. Utah Urban and Small Farms Conference *
- Stock, M., Arriaga, F., Vadas, P., Ward-Good, L., Karthikeyan, K., (2018). Tillage, manure, and winter runoff. Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic *
- Vadas, P.A, Stock, M.N, Feyereisen, G.W, Arriaga, F.J, (2017). Processes Controlling Nutrient Loss in Runoff from Winter Applied Dairy Manure. Agronomy Society of America *
- Stock, M., Arriaga, F.J, Vadas, P.A, Good, L.W, Karthikeyan, K., (2017). Reducing winter runoff losses from dairy agroecosystems through tillage and manure application timing. Soil Science Society of America *
- Stock, M.N, Arriaga, F.J, Karthikeyan, K., Vadas, P.A, Good, L.W, (2017). Reducing winter phosphorus losses from dairy agroecosystems through tillage and manure application timing. American Water Resources Association *
- Stock, M.N, Arriaga, F.J, Karthikeyan, K., Vadas, P.A, Good, L.W, (2016). Does tillage increase frozen soil infiltration?. Soil Science Society of America *
- Vadas, P.A, Jokela, W., Good, L.W, Arriaga, F.J, Karthikeyan, K., Stock, M.N, (2016). Impact of seasonal and short-term manure application decisions on phosphorus loss in runoff. American Society of Agronomy *
- Stock, M.N, Arriaga, F.J, Karthikeyan, K., Vadas, P.A, Good, L.W, (2016). Reducing winter phosphorus losses from dairy agroecosystems through tillage and manure application timing. American Society of Agronomy *
- Stock, M.N, Arriaga, F.J, Karthikeyan, K., Vadas, P.A, Good, L.W, (2015). A water-energy balance approach to quantify manure management under frozen conditions. Soil Science Society of America *
- Stock, M.N, Hart, D.J, Balster, N.J, (2012). Using Ground-Penetrating Radar to detect eastern American toads (A. a. americanus) belowground. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists *
- Stock, M.N, Balster, N., (2012). The effects of soil temperature on belowground amphibian hibernation in an urban versus rural environment. Wisconsin Wetlands Association *
Publications - Books & Book Chapters
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Fact Sheets
- Collins, A., Stock, M., Lewis , M., Hansen, S., (2022). Celosia Cut Flower Production in Utah. USU Extension
- Rauter, S., Black, B.L, Drost, D.T, Stock, M., (2022). High Tunnel Cost Construction Calculation Workbook.. USU Extension
- Lewis , M., Stock, M., Black, B.L, Drost, D.T, (2022). Stock Cut Flower Production in Utah. USU Extension
- Chelinski, M., Stock, M., Grossl, P., Oliver, E., (2022). Trace Element Contamination in Urban Soils: Testing and Management. USU Extension
- Hansen, S., Drost, D.T, Stock, M., Black, B.L, (2022). Expected Vegetable, Berry, Fruit, and Cut Flowers for Urban Farms in Utah. USU Extension
- Columbia, S., Stock, M., (2021). Cut Flowers for Community Supported Agriculture Production. University of Kentucky Extension
- S.R, Stock, M., Black, B., Drost, D., (2021). Low Tunnels for Field Cut Flower Production. USU Extension
- Lewis, M., Stock, M., Ward, R., Black, B.L, Drost, D., (2021). Peony Cut Flower Production Budget, One Field, Northern Utah, 2020. USU Extension
- Lewis, M., Stock, M., Ward, , Black, B., (2021). Peony Cut Flower Production Budget, One High Tunnel, Northern Utah, 2020. USU Extension
- Stock, M., Hadfield, J., Hadfield, J., Reed, N., (2021). Pet Rabbit Projects: Getting Started. USU Extension
- Lewis, M., Stock, M., Maughan, T., Black, B., Drost, D., (2021). Snapdragon Cut Flower Production in Utah. USU Extension
- Drost, D., Black, B.L, Stock, M., (2021). Water Management in High Tunnels. USU Extension
- Lewis, M., Stock, M., Ward, R.A, Black, B.L, Drost, D.T, (2020). Snapdragon cut flower budget for one field. USU Extension
- Lewis, M., Stock, M., Ward, R.A, Black, B.L, Drost, D.T, (2020). Snapdragon cut flower budget for one high tunnel. USU Extension
- Hansen, S., Drost, D.T, Stock, M., Wagner, K.M, (2020). Beginning and Small Acreage Farms: Nonmotorized Tool Selection. USU Extension
- Pratt, A., Stock, M., Hadfield, J., (2020). Nutrition Guide for Rabbits. USU Digital Commons
- Maughan, T., Stock, M., Lewis, M., (2020). Zinnia Cut Flower Production in Utah. USU Digital Commons
- Wagner, K.M, Stock, M., Sagers, L.A, (2020). Preparing and Improving Garden Soil. USU Digital Commons
- Pratt, A., Wagner, K.M, Stock, M., (2020). Utah Visual Farm Guide: What is Healthy Soil? . USU Digital Commons
- Pratt, A., Wagner, K.M, Stock, M., (2020). Utah Visual Farm Guide: Year-round Soil Care. . USU Digital Commons
- Stock, M., Maughan, T., Grossl, P., (2020). Urban Garden Soils: Testing and Management. USU Digital Commons
- Lewis, M., Stock, M., Maughan, T., Black, B.L, Drost, D.T, (2019). Sweet Pea Cut Flower Production in Utah. USU Digital Commons
- Stock, M., Maughan, T., Miller, R., (2019). Sustainable Manure and Compost Application: Garden and Micro Farm Guidelines. Utah State University Extension
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Curriculum
- Curtis, K., Ward, R.A, Stock, M., (2018). Start-to-Farm. USU Extension
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Journal Articles
- Lewis , M., Stock, M., Black, B.L, Drost, D.T, Dai, X., (2021). Improving Snapdragon Cut Flower Production through High Tunnel Season Extension, Transplant Timing, and Cultivar Selection. HortScience, 56
- Rauter, S., Sun, Y., Stock, M., (2021). Visual Quality, Gas Exchange, and Yield of Anemone and Ranunculus Irrigated with Saline Water. HortTechnology, 31:6, 763-770. doi: 10.21273/HORTTECH04930-21
- Stock, M., (2020). High Impact Extension Programming with Instagram. HortTechnology, 30:6, 654–658. doi: 10.21273/HORTTECH0469320
- Nocco, M.A, Feinstein, N.W, Stock, M., McGill, B.M, Kucharik, C.J, (2020). Knowledge co-production with agricultural trade associations. Water (Switzerland), 12:11, 1-15.
- Stock, M.N, Arriaga, F.J, Vadas, P.A, Good, L.W, Casler, M.D, Karthikeyan, K.G, Zopp, Z., (2019). Fall tillage reduced nutrient loads from liquid manure application during the freezing season. Journal of Environmental Quality, 48:4, 889-898.
- Stock, M.N, Arriaga, F.J, Vadas, P.A, Karthikeyan, K.G, (2019). Manure application timing drives energy absorption for snowmelt on an agricultural soil. Journal of Hydrology, 569, 51-60.
- Vadas, P.A, Stock, M.N, Arriaga, F.J, Good, L.W, Karthikeyan, K.G, Zopp, Z.P, (2019). Dynamics of measured and simulated dissolved phosphorus in runoff from winter-applied dairy manure. Journal of Environmental Quality, 48:4, 899-906.
- Vadas, P.A, Stock, M.N, Feyereisen, G.W, Arriaga, F.J, Good, L.W, Karthikeyan, K.G, (2018). Temperature and manure placement in a snowpack affect nutrient release from dairy manure during snowmelt. Journal of Environmental Quality, 47:4, 848-855.
- Vadas, P.A, Good, L.W, Jokela, W.E, Karthikeyan, K.G, Arriaga, F.J, Stock, M.N, (2017). Quantifying the impact of seasonal and short-term manure application decisions on phosphorus loss in surface runoff. Journal of Environmental Quality, 46:6, 1395-1402.
- Forshay, K.J, Johnson, P.T, Stock, M.N, Penalva, C., Dodson, S.I, (2008). Festering food: Chytridiomycete pathogen reduces quality of Daphnia host as a food resource. Ecology, 89:10, 2692-2699.
Academic Journal
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Literary Journal
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - MultiMedia
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Technical Reports
- Stock, M., Lewis, M., Ward, R.A, (2019). Peony Cut Flower Budget for One High Tunnel. Utah Agricultural Statistics and Utah Dept. of Agriculture and Food 2019 Annual Report *
- Stock, M.N, Arriaga, F.J, (2017). Estimating winter albedo in dairy agroecosystems for researchers conducting plot-scale studies: A technical report. North Central SARE *
- Stock, M.N, Arriaga, F.J, Vadas, P.A, Good, L.W, Karthikeyan, K., (2017). Linking nutrient transport to soil physical processes during freeze/thaw events to promote wintertime manure management, nutrient use efficiency, and surface water quality. North Central SARE *
- Stock, M., Arriaga, F.J, Vadas, P.A, Good, L.W, Karthikeyan, K., (2017). Fall tillage and manure application timing after corn silage affect winter runoff losses. North Central SARE *
Other Reports
* Has not been peer reviewed
Publications - Translations & Transcripts
Publications - Other
- Stock, M., (2022). Cut flower crops and programming are rapidly growing across Utah. Utah Pests Quarterly Newsletter, Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory & USU Extension *
- Nischwitz, C., Stock, M., (2022). New diseases detected on Utah cut flowers. Utah Pests Quarterly Newsletter, Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory & USU Extension *
- Compton, T., Nischwitz, C., Stock, M., (2020). Dahlia mosaic virus (DMV) on dahlia in Utah. Utah Pests News *
- Stock, M., (2019). A Closer Look at Utah’s Manure and Compost. Summit County Agriculture Producer Newsletter *
- Stock, M.N, Black, B.L, Drost, D.T, (2019). Improving production schedules for high-value perennial flowers in Utah: Peony. Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) Cut Flower Quarterly *
- Stock, M.N, (2019). It’s SOILS Time! . Utah Cut Flower Farm Association Newsletter *
- Stock, M., Lewis, M., (2019). Reflecting on 2019: Incredible Economics to Devastating Disease. Utah Cut Flower Farm Association Newsletter *
- Stock, M., (2019). Ongoing Research at USU. Utah Cut Flower Farm Association *
- Stock, M., Nischwitz, C., (2021). Tackling the three challenges of dahlia production: bloom timing, nutrient management, and disease.. The Cut Flower Quarterly/Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers *
- Stock, M., Wagner, K.M, Hansen, S., Black, B.L, Drost, D.T, (2020). Evaluating production strategies for Ranunculus in the Intermountain West. The Cut Flower Quarterly/Association of Cut Flower Growers *
Newsletter
Other
* Has not been peer reviewed
Extension
Small Livestock Management, 2019 - Ongoing
Master Gardener, 2019 - Ongoing
Cut flower crop development for Utah, 2018 - Ongoing
Urban and small farms soil health management, 2018 - 2023
Urban and small farms resource use efficiency, 2019 - 2022
Graduate Students Mentored
Frank (Eli) Oliver, Plants, Soils, and Climate, August 2020
Shannon Rauter, Plants, Soils, and Climate
Maegen Lewis, Plants, Soils, and Climate, August 2019
Samikshya Pyakurel, Plants, Soils, and Climate, August 2019