U of M Agronomy & Plant Genetics

08/24/2026

A goodbye and a hello: APG welcomes our new interim department head, Candice Hirsch, and we wish our outgoing head, Gary Muehlbauer, the best as he returns to faculty to focus on research and teachings.

August 24, 2026 Gary Muehlbauer recently stepped down as APG department head. The end of summer brings transition in 411 Borlaug Hall: Gary Muehlbauer has stepped down as head of the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, and we welcome our new interim head, Candice Hirsch.After leading the depa...

08/11/2026

Students in our Agronomy minor are gaining the knowledge and skills to tackle our biggest challenges: feeding a growing population, adapting to a changing climate, and building a more sustainable future.

BY SIMON YANG, AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATION & MARKETING, BS '26Agriculture isn’t just history at the University of Minnesota — it’s a living, breathing launchpad for global change. While you won't find a standalone "Agronomy" major on the registration checklist, today's undergraduate students ar...

08/10/2026

Political historian Heather Cox Richardson has been sharing short videos about the last 250 years in the U.S. Here's this week's (it's about Norman Borlaug!).

This was the eleventh week of videos from the 250 to 250 Project that we’re producing to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

08/04/2026

It's that time of year: APG Professor Rex Bernardo invited CFANS colleagues to his field of GopherCorn on August 3, to learn about the maroon-and-gold delight and pick some ears to take home. Sue Kilber provided the photos.

08/03/2026

Cultivating the future of agronomy at the University of Minnesota: Read how a flexible approach — and a powerful minor — is inspiring the next generation of agricultural innovators.

BY SIMON YANG, AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATION & MARKETING, BS '26Agriculture isn’t just history at the University of Minnesota — it’s a living, breathing launchpad for global change. While you won't find a standalone "Agronomy" major on the registration checklist, today's undergraduate students ar...

07/27/2026

It's that time of year again . . . APG Professor Rex Bernardo invites all to the annual GopherCorn U-Pick on Monday, August 3, at 4 p.m. Go to https://GopherCornUPick2026.eventbrite.com to get your free tickets (one ticket needed per person). Tickets are limited so get them soon.

07/06/2026

Field School for Ag Professionals is July 29-30. Extension Registration has setup a discount code for the $99 rate for both days. Please use GRPRATE2 during check out. Learn more:

A hands-on, in-field program emphasizing crop and pest management diagnostic skill building in field crops.

06/23/2026

Helene Murray retires as executive director of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and MISA finds a new home. https://agronomy.cfans.umn.edu/news/helene

05/28/2026

Today we honored the 2026 APG Hayes Phillips Awardee Navjot Singh and three Distinguished Alumni, Lee DeHaan, Pete Dotray and Sandra Milach. Congratulations to the awardees!

05/20/2026

Congrats to our Hayes Phillips and Distinguished Alumni awardees. Program and ceremony is Thursday, May 28.