ND Ag Hall Of Fame Inductees

Dr. Richard C. Frohberg

Dr. Richard C. Frohberg, Fargo, ND, is the third public wheat breeder in the history of North Dakota.  For 36 of his 37 year career at North Dakota State University, he has been a Hard Red Spring Wheat Breeder.  He developed or was involved in the development of 27 spring wheat varieties, a level of success matched by very few plant breeders thoughout the world.  During his career, 80 – 90% of the wheat acres planted in North Dakota each year were planted with varieties released from his program.  His most recent release is "Alsen" which is the first wheat scab resistant, high quality hard red spring wheat variety.  Among the other varieties he developed or was involved with are Parshall, Gus, Grandin, Amidon, Butte 86, Stoa, Alex, Len, Butte, Olaf, Waldron, Fortuna and Justin. 

Frohberg also taught many plant breeding graduate students in his career.  His students are pursuing successful careers in plant breeding not only here but nationally and internationally.  His honors and awards include the Agriculture Award from Greater North Dakota Association, the Honorary Kernal from the North Dakota Grain Growers, the Fred L. Waldron Award from the NDSU Research Foundation, the Distinguished Service Award from the North Dakota Crop Improvement Association and many others.

Year Inducted: 2006