Page 6 - Impact Winter 2023

BROTHERS GEOFF (LEFT) AND MIKE GRAHAM (RIGHT).
Plant breeding runs in the family
Dinnertime at Michael and Geoffrey Graham’s boyhood home was anything but tranquil. While the brothers didn’t quite throw food at each other, there was plenty of healthy scientific debate going on between “hand me the pepper” and “pass
the potatoes.”
Several decades later, Mike and Geoff are still affably sparring.
But because both of the CFANS alumni hold senior leadership positions in plant breeding at two different — and highly competitive — companies, shop talk at family get-togethers is off the table. So when the two came to campus in October 2022 to receive University of Minnesota Outstanding Achievement Awards for their revolutionary leadership in plant breeding, CFANS Dean Brian Buhr playfully pondered whether they had to sign non- disclosure agreements before sharing supper.
Mike, a PhD who received his BS in agronomy at CFANS
in 1982; and Geoff, a PhD who received his BS at CFANS in agronomy and plant genetics in 1989 and his MS in agriculture and horticultural plant breeding at CFANS in 1991, were both individually recognized with this distinguished award, the highest honor the U of M bestows on its graduates. It is conferred only on graduates who have attained unusual distinction in their chosen fields or professions or in public service, and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership on a community, state, national, or international level.
The brothers have made a positive impact on global agriculture throughout their careers. Mike is the head of plant breeding at Bayer Crop Science, and Geoff is the global plant breeding lead at Corteva Agriscience. Both men, who have held a variety of roles at major companies over the years, today direct hundreds of employees in countries worldwide in the effort to use science and technology to drive innovation in agriculture.
“The Graham family’s passion for innovation in the field of agriculture is nothing short of remarkable,” said Buhr. “It is rewarding to know that alumni like Mike and Geoff are making a broad and lasting impact on improving agricultural production on a global scale and helping to feed a growing world while stewarding the environment.”
HOME FIELD advantage
While East African immigrants have lived in the Midwest for years, few have actively participated in Minnesota farming. Due largely to the hurdles of securing land, growing crops, and finding
a customer base for their products, emerging farmers lack the economic opportunities of more established farmers and face substantially greater barriers to success.
Today, East African immigrants are expanding the state's crop culture to include foods – such as jute mallow and spider wisp – native to their home countries. Researchers at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton, MN and the Sand Plain Research Farm in Becker, MN are partnering with immigrant farmers
to incorporate
culturally
significant crops
into Minnesota
agriculture.
Paulo Pagliari,
PhD, associate
professor in the
Department of Soil,
Water and Climate,
leads research to identify best practices for
new crop families. To find climate-appropriate varieties, this study plants traditional crops
from their homelands and analyzes nutrient management techniques and other factors like weeds, insects, and viruses. “Immigrants are critical to a growing and thriving Minnesota, and this work helps them... make Minnesota their home for generations to come,” said Pagliari.
Key contributor Moses Momanyi, whose incubator farm, Kilimo Minnesota, is ushering in a new generation of organic farmers. Kilimo aims to empower African immigrant farmers socially and economically by training them, increasing their access to farmland, and promoting community. “Minnesota is fortunate to have such a robust community of East African immigrants, and we are eager to keep supporting a growing market for their crops,” said Momanyi.
PAGLIARI IN A FIELD OF MILLET.