Minnesota Corn welcomes new research director
In August, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) welcomed Dr. Maciej Kazula as its new research director.
Kazula grew up on a small farm in Poland before moving to the United States to pursue his graduate degrees at the University of Wisconsin – Madison majoring in Agronomy. During his doctorate work he studied the effects of extended corn-based crop rotations on crop productivity, soil health and their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Prior to joining MCGA, he had spent the last three years as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics. As a member of Dr. Seth Naeve’s team he was involved in multiple applied soybean production and physiology research projects designed to deepen our knowledge about factors affecting soybean’s yields and seed quality.
“I feel very fortunate that from growing up in a farming community in Europe through earning a national and international education in Agricultural Research I was able to develop unique perspectives about my passion, the production Agriculture,” Kazula said. “I look forward to serving as research director of MCGA and use my expertise to promote scientifically based solutions and innovative ideas to further enhance profitability and sustainability of corn production in Minnesota”.
Kazula will oversee farmer-funded research, and will work with members of the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council and MCGA directors in directing annual research investments.
Minnesota’s corn farmers invest $2.6 million annually in research efforts to identify new uses for corn and agricultural best management practices that improve on-farm sustainability. This research is supported through Minnesota corn farmers’ investment in the corn check-off.
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