The Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC) recently hosted its 35th Annual Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. During the event, Dr. Russel W. Gesch, a Research Plant Physiologist with the USDA-ARS in Morris, MN, was honored as the 2024 Outstanding Researcher Awardee.

Dr. Gesch's research focuses on the physiology and agronomy of new and alternative oilseed crops, including camelina, pennycress, and cuphea. His work has significantly advanced the efficiency and economic viability of cropping systems in the northern United States, while also diversifying agriculture and reducing environmental impacts. He has been a pioneer in field research on intercropping and double cropping of industrial crops with commodity crops, developing innovative models and best practices for the sustainable intensification of cropping systems.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Gesch has authored over 136 publications. He served as AAIC President in 2004, is a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, and holds adjunct faculty appointments at North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota-St. Paul. Additionally, he has mentored numerous graduate students and Research Associates.
Dr. Gesch's contributions to pennycress research have earned him prestigious honors, including the USDA Secretary of Agriculture Honor Award, the USDA REE Under Secretary’s Award, and the USDA-ARS Midwest Area Technology Transfer Award. His stature is further evidenced by being a point of contact for consultation by industry, government agencies, and producer groups.