German Cutz is responsible for horticulture programming in North Cook County, emphasizing food production, urban agriculture, sustainable gardening, home gardening, and agribusiness.

German has more than 20 years of experience in Extension. He worked for the University of Illinois Extension from 2000 to 2010 as an Extension Specialist in charge of Spanish Language Programming. He translated more than 50 Extension programs and provided content for the En Español website. Then, German moved to the University of Connecticut from 2010 to 2020 as an Extension Educator in Sustainable Families and Communities. While at UConn, he developed and taught the urban agriculture program for six years.

German received his Bachelor's in business administration from the San Carlos University of Guatemala and his agronomy training from the National Central School of Agriculture (Guatemala), focusing on vegetable production, sustainable agriculture, and soil conservation. For eight years, he worked with small farmers in western Guatemala and coordinated a $5.2 million United States Agency for International Development project on small farmers' diversification systems. He then earned his Master's from Ball State University in natural resources and environmental management, focusing on plants and soils. He also completed a second Master's in adult and community education and a Doctoral degree in the same field from Ball State University.

Courses

German has taught agriculture topics in English and Spanish.

• Botany
• Entomology
• Integrated Pest Management
• Soils
• Vegetable production
• Small fruits
• Agribusiness
• Entrepreneurship
• Sustainable agriculture.

Additional responsibilities

• Providing training and continuing education to Master Gardeners
• Organizing community outreach programs
• Making horticulture programs
• Planning seasonal events