Charles M. Feldhake

Charles M. Feldhake (Soil Scientist) received a B.S. (1974) in Physics at Xavier University; a M.S. (1979) in Soil Science at Colorado State University; and a Ph.D. (1981) in Environmental Biophysics at Colorado State University.  Since 1981 he has been with USDA-ARS at the Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center, located at Beaver, West Virginia.  His research improves our understanding of how pasture canopies in complex terrain of the humid Appalachian Region couple to climate conditions.  Both water and temperature budgets for perennial pasture were analyzed for both wet and droughty conditions.  He instituted a silvopasture research program and analyzed the impacts of different tree species and spacing configurations on understory solar radiation interception and microclimate modification.  He has worked with other location scientists to translate seasonal, topographic and tree-induced changes in microclimate into knowledge predicting forage yield and animal performance.