Osorno awarded inaugural Jim Kirkeide Dry Bean Breeding Faculty Fellowship

Juan Osorno, NDSU Department of Plant Sciences professor and dry bean breeder, has been honored with the inaugural Jim Kirkeide Dry Bean Breeding Faculty Fellowship. This recognition highlights Osorno’s significant contributions to agriculture and his dedication to improving dry bean varieties for farmers locally and globally. 

Established to honor the memory and contributions of Jim Kirkeide, the fellowship supports innovation in dry bean breeding, ensuring the continued success of the agriculture industry.  

“Beans have taken me around the world and transformed me as a person,” Osorno shared. “It’s humbling and fulfilling to contribute to global food security while helping farmers succeed.” 

Osorno utilizes advanced genotyping and phenotyping technologies to develop high-performing dry bean varieties, ensuring they meet the needs of farmers and consumers. His use of a winter nursery allows for two growing seasons in a single year, accelerating the delivery of improved varieties. These efforts bolster the region’s status as a leading producer of dry edible beans — an affordable, high-protein food source critical to global nutrition.