AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University has named Clarke McGrath as the center’s on-farm research and extension coordinator.

McGrath, a native of Afton, Iowa, has served 15 years as a field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

In his new role with the Iowa Soybean Research Center, McGrath will serve as the main liaison between ISU researchers and Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Research staff to develop and implement field studies on soybean production and protection practices. He also will identify research and education needs for Iowa soybean farmers and the agribusinesses that support them, and develop and deliver research-based soybean production information to farmers through the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa State and agribusinesses.

McGrath will have statewide responsibilities and be based out of the Shelby County Extension and Outreach Office in Harlan. He also will have an office on the ISU campus in Ames.

“We are delighted to have such a highly experienced and qualified individual as Clarke lead the Iowa Soybean Research Center’s on-farm soybean research efforts in collaboration with the Iowa Soybean Association,” said Wendy Wintersteen, dean of the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Clarke’s extension education experience will be highly valuable as ISU and ISA work to deliver the results of our research to Iowa soybean farmers.”

Kirk Leeds, chief executive officer of the Iowa Soybean Association, added, “McGrath’s addition to the Iowa Soybean Research Center staff will accelerate the pace at which ISU and ISA work to build the center to serve Iowa soybean farmers with the needed research-based production information for the decades to come.”

McGrath, who also is a certified crop advisor, joined ISU Extension and Outreach in 2000. From 2003 to 2009, McGrath served as the partner program coordinator for the ISU Corn and Soybean Initiative. Prior to joining ISU, he worked as agronomy services director and location manager for Agriland FS in Avoca from 1991 to 2000. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and his master’s degree in professional agriculture, both at Iowa State.

The Iowa Soybean Research Center was established by ISU in partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association in June 2014. The center was founded to increase soybean production and profitability for Iowa farmers through coordinated research efforts involving ISU, ISA and the private sector.
 

Contacts: 

Greg Tylka, Iowa Soybean Research Center, (515) 294-3021, gltylka@iastate.edu
Brian Meyer, Agriculture and Life Sciences Communications, (515) 294-5616, bmeyer@iastate.edu