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Expert has worked extensively in developing fertilizer recommendations for horticultural crop production in Minnesota. Many of the recommendations he developed are based on soil sampling and testing. He is knowledgeable of both chemical and organic fertilizers available for use in fruit and vegetable production. The use of industrial byproducts as a fertilizer or soil amendment is an area in which he has conducted many years of research. Some of the byproducts he has studied include municipal solid waste compost, coal ash, biomass gasification ash, wastewater treatment lime, and various food wastes and sludges. Much of his research has been focused on the environmental impact of fertilizer/byproduct use, particularly in the area of nitrate leaching in sandy soils. He has also been involved in developing practices to minimize nutrient runoff and leaching processes.

Expert has extensive experience in soil requirements for growth of vegetable and fruit crops with particular emphasis on irrigated potato production. In addition to potatoes, he has conducted fertilizer and soil amendment research on blueberries, strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, garlic, onions, peas, snap beans, and sweet corn.

Because of the contamination of lead in many urban environments, Expert has kept up to date on the risks associated with this toxic element. He has written a fact sheet on how to cope with lead in the home garden and urban landscapes. He has also been involved with lead analysis of byproducts and associated risks of land application of these byproducts. Expert has experience with risk assessment of other metal contaminants such as cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and molybdenum that may be associated with industrial byproducts.

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Expert has been involved with successful athletic field construction, his role being to identify the proper soil unit for drainage.