A native of Jackson, MS, Chris is a UT Extension County Director and Coordinator for the Extension Master Gardener Program in Shelby County.  Chris can be found throughout Shelby County and west TN conducting educational programs addressing issues that affect urban and home horticulture.

Chris has a B.S. degree in Soil Science from Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA., and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL.

Chris is the host of the series The Family Plot: Gardening in the Mid-South which can be found on WKNO/Channel 10 (PBS) on Saturdays at 3:00 pm and Sundays at 12:30 pm.

Chris and his wife, Hope Landrum Cooper, have a 11 year old son name Mason Christopher.