Gordon C. Marten

Doctor of Science

College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, April 10, 2006

Gordon C. Marten received his M.S. degree (1959) and his Ph.D. (1961) in Agronomy from the University of Minnesota and then went on to begin his life long career with the USDA-ARS. He served as the research leader of the USDA Plant Science Unit at the University for 28 years of his USDA career as Research Agronomist and an adjunct professor of Agronomy and Plant Genetics. He is recognized as a world authority on forage quality assessment and forage management practices that have increased efficiency and productivity of ruminant animals while enhancing the quality of the environment and sustainability of agriculture. His work to standardize the in vitro fermentation process is one of the most highly cited scientific articles in agriculture. Because of his contributions, new and enhanced methods used to determine the impact of plant maturity and plant growth environment were developed. This has contributed to the significant increase of milk production from dairy cows and improved rates of gain for forage diet fed cattle and sheep. He has published numerous research papers, book chapters, and other scientific materials. He is also the recipient of many awards and honors, including his election as a Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy and The Crop Science Society of America.