Jesse Mathews

College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Plants, Soils, and Climate Department

Jesse Mathews was raised in the small town of Pioche, Nevada, on a family farm. He grew up moving irrigation pipes, operating alfalfa production machinery, and working with cows. It was here that he obtained a love for working outside and, more specifically, working with plants. After graduating from high school, Jesse served a two-year mission in Tennessee for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his service, Jesse moved to Logan, Utah, to begin his studies at Utah State University. He entered as an exploratory major, leaning towards an engineering degree, but Jesse quickly realized that plant science was where he needed to be. He eagerly participated in the plant science club, enjoyed learning more about how to grow plants, and loved working as an undergraduate researcher for the Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL). As graduation neared, a wise professor with whom he worked at CWEL approached Jesse about considering a master’s program. Having earned his Bachelor's of Plant Science, with minors in agribusiness and entrepreneurship, Jesse is now just one semester from graduating with that master’s degree from Utah State.