Upson serves as a horticulture consultant in the producer relations program. In addition to his consultation services, he serves as a technical adviser to the Center for Pecan and Specialty Agriculture. In hobby horticulture, he specializes in raised bed and container gardening. He also provides consulting services to organizations needing assistance with community and school garden design and management. In commercial horticulture, he specializes in vegetable plasticulture and modified environmental (high tunnel hoop house) vegetable and small fruit production. Upson joined the Noble Research Institute in 1988.
Before coming to the Noble Research Institute, Upson managed a commercial vegetable farm and was an extension horticulture agent for Oklahoma State University.