Susie Thompson's breeding work at NDSU supported by North Dakota and Minnesota Potato Growers

Susie Thompson associate professor of plant sciences, has been named the inaugural Johansen-Thompson Endowed Professor in Potato Breeding at North Dakota State University. 

This USD 1.5 million endowment was created through the support of North Dakota and Minnesota potato growers, the North Dakota Challenge Grant, and regional potato supporters. 

This endowment is named in honor of NDSU’s two long-standing potato breeders, Robert Johansen ’49, who served as the NDSU potato breeder from 1948 to 1992, and Susie Thompson, who has been the NDSU potato breeder since 2001. This endowment will generate annual funds that the endowed professor will use to enhance all aspects of the program, including ways to improve and expand research and teaching capabilities. 

This endowment aims to ensure continuity and expansion of the NDSU potato breeding program, a vital aspect of the region’s agriculture industry. The northern plains is the third-largest potato-producing region in the country, with 2.6 billion pounds produced annually at a USD 500 million value. 

A strong potato breeding program is vital to address grower and industry needs: Conducting the basic and applied research needed to improve potato production in the region and promoting the varieties of this region for local and national markets. 

Susie Thompson:

"It is an honor to be the inaugural holder of this endowment. I have loved my 20+ years working for NDSU and our region’s potato growers, and I look forward to continuing to support potato farmers by developing exceptional varieties that meet their needs. I am so grateful for their support of our program."

Gary Shields, executive director of the Northland Potato Growers Association:

"The success of this campaign is a testament to the passion and commitment from the potato growers and partners in the upper Midwest."

"Our farmers know the value of research, education, and that superior varieties and sound agronomic practices will continue to make the Northland region one of the best places on earth to grow potatoes."

Faculty endowments are among the highest honors bestowed in academia and are crucial for recruiting and retaining the highest-quality faculty who have innovative ideas, conduct impactful research, and are talented, engaging teachers.

Greg Lardy ’91, the Joe and Norma Peltier Vice President for Agriculture at NDSUG:

"Outstanding faculty are the cornerstone of our University, enriching our academic environment, conducting stakeholder driven research and helping attract high quality students."

"Dr. Thompson, and the previous work of Dr. Johansen, have built an outstanding potato breeding program. This endowment signals the strength and commitment of NDSU agriculture to potato production and its’ impact on our region."

The catalyst to form this endowment started when one of Susie’s varieties, the Dakota Russet, was accepted by McDonald’s as an approved potato variety in 2022. At that time, McDonald’s had not approved a potato variety since 2016 for the McFry, which is considered the gold standard for a fry russet potato. Since that announcement, the growers of the Northland region banded together to honor Susie; demonstrate their commitment to research, education and extension; and ensure that the NDSU potato breeding program has the resources and support it needs to succeed long into the future. 

Casey Hoverson, chair of the Northland Potato Growers:

"The Northland Potato Growers, as well as the North Dakota Potato Council, the MN Area II Growers, and the North Dakota Certified Seed Potato Growers are proud to establish this endowment at NDSU."

"We hope this endowment will build upon and expand the work Susie and her colleagues are already doing, and to show that we, the growers, value the work of our land-grant University and are willing to support it with our check-off dollars."

Susie was recognized and officially bestowed the Johansen-Thompson Endowed Professor in Potato Breeding title at the 50th anniversary celebration of Harvest Bowl on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at the Delta by Marriott in Fargo.