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Along with the various plant breeds Dr. Johnson has developed while
at the Whitetail Institute, the world-renowned plant breeder has also
developed many other forages during his 35-year career at Auburn
University. Many are still widely used today.
Dr. Johnson began his academic career at Wake Forest University
where he received a B.S. degree in General Sciences.
From there he studied at North Carolina State where he received a
B.S. and Masters degree in Agronomy.
Finally he moved to Cornell University where he received his Ph.D.
in plant breeding. After one
year of teaching at Cornell, Johnson moved to Auburn where he held several
positions including Chairman of the Plant Breeding Unit Committee.
He also became a much-loved professor and in 1990 was selected
Outstanding Teacher in the prestigious College of Agriculture.
Scott is not surprised at the honor.
He once asked the professor how many students he flunked and
Johnson told him, “Ray, I don’t flunk anybody.
I teach them.”
With his clipboard in hand, inspecting test plots or working with
seedlings in the green house, Dr. Johnson is a familiar sight at the
Institute. However, his
interest in agronomy isn’t all business.
At home he is an avid gardener for flowers and vegetables and is
constantly sharing his produce with Institute staff. |
