Nebraska’s Agricultural Influence Reaches Far Beyond the Cornhusker State

By Geitner Simmons

Just as agriculture has shaped Nebraska, notable figures from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have shaped agricultural science and policymaking on a national scale.

The contributions by alumni and faculty over the years have impacted a wide range of fields, including agronomy, animal science, agricultural engineering, entomology, plant pathology, extension services, economics and natural resources management.

Thanks to those contributions, producers have seen higher crop yields and improved plant and animal health; overseas markets have opened to Nebraska agricultural exports; farm equipment is safer and more capable; and agriculture across our country has achieved greater efficiency and environmental sustainability, all thanks to Nebraska research.

These and other Nebraska contributions are key parts in the national story of America’s agricultural heritage and advancement. 

Below, 13 University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni are discussed, all renowned for their vision and achievements in bolstering U.S. agriculture in their respective fields.