Robert is a native of Southwestern, Ohio. He grew up on a small farming operation focusing on livestock production. His family currently raises registered Boer goats. He was a member of 4-H in Clermont County, Ohio showing swine, meat goats and cattle. He holds a Bachelors of Science with a concentration of Animal Science and a Master’s degree in Career and Technical Education in Agriculture, both from Morehead State University in Kentucky. While in college he served as a collegiate FFA officer, and was a member of Morehead State University’s Livestock Judging Team. While in graduate school his thesis research focused on meat goat production.