Woodland, California, USA
December 3, 2009
Cal/West Seeds announces the promotion of Dr. David Johnson to Assistant Director of Research effective November 7, 2009. This promotion is in recognition of David’s significant and varied contributions to Cal/West Seeds during his 14 years of service. In this new capacity, he’ll continue to fulfill the responsibilities of plant breeder and to manage all research activities at the West Salem, Wisconsin Research Facility.
Dr. Jonathan Reich, Executive Vice-President of Research and Development for Cal/West Seeds states: “As the senior inventor of the patented StandFast® Alfalfa, the development of varieties with the fast growth and standability traits has been the most significant breeding improvement in alfalfa during the past 25 years…I know we can continue to count on David’s high intellect and scientific competency, passion for his work, and unassailable integrity as he helps Cal/West Seeds grow and prosper.”
When asked about his thoughts on this new role, David responded, “It is an exciting time to be at Cal/West Seeds and part of the forage seed industry. Our future research will focus on adding value to seed via traits that benefit consumers, end users, and seed growers. We are currently directing additional resources and staffing to several innovative projects in our laboratories, growth rooms, and greenhouses designed to improve yield, stress tolerance, and nutritional efficiency – adding value to the seeds we produce and market.”
Dr. Johnson was born and raised on a wheat farm near Kimball, NE. His educational and experience background includes a BS in Agriculture and an MS in Agronomy, both from the University of Wyoming. He received his PhD in Agronomy & Plant Genetics with a Minor in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arizona. He has been the ASA/CSSA/SSSA/WSSA Congressional Science Fellow working for the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Upon leaving that position, he worked as the Research Associate / Post Doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in their Plant Pathology Department before joining Cal/West Seeds in 1995.
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