PULLMAN, Wash. – Two Washington State University wheat researchers are among just 18 scientists being named as American Society of Agronomy Fellows for 2012. Kim Kidwell and Kimberly Garland-Campbell will be recognized at the society’s annual meetings in Cincinnati next week.
Nationally recognized as both a plant breeder and interpersonal communications innovator, Kidwell currently serves as executive associate dean for WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.
As WSU ‘s spring wheat breeder for 15 years, Kidwell developed more than a dozen new varieties, some of which are among the most successful for Washington farmers today. Combining the latest biotechnology with traditional plant breeding methods, the varieties developed through her research maximize crop production while minimizing environmental impact. In total, her work has generated more than $60 million per year in farm-gate value for Washington wheat producers.
Kidwell also excels as an interpersonal communications coach and innovator. Human Development 205, which was initiated, developed and taught by Kidwell, is one of the most popular classes at WSU.
Campbell is an adjunct professor in the WSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and a research geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. During her tenure as a wheat scientist, she has developed more than eight soft and club winter wheat varieties with special attention to breeding wheat for superior end use quality, winter survival and the genetics of wheat responses to disease and environmental stress. Campbell also was named one of 11 fellows of the Crop Science Society of America for 2012.
The American Society of Agronomy is an international scientific society co-located with the Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America in Madison Wisconsin. Society members are dedicated to the conservation and wise use of natural resources to produce food, feed and fiber crops while maintaining and improving the environment.
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