LINCOLN, Neb. — Gregory Dorn, research technologist in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, retired from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on May 15, 2026, after a 32-year career.
Born in Filley, Nebraska, Dorn credits his interest in agronomy and horticulture to the garden on his grandparent’s farm he helped plant, harvest and care for. Plants were a major aspect of the farm’s livelihood, and as he grew older, Dorn became intrigued in the science behind how they were grown and produced.
As a research technologist, Dorn’s primary goal was to produce high-quality, reliable data that producers use to choose crop genetics best matching a farm’s environment, soil and management practices. That focus expanded over time to ensure the collection of accurate data from the controlled hybridization—known as a ‘cross’—of plants that develop superior crop varieties. These crosses stack desirable traits such as higher yield and drought tolerance into a single seed.
Dorn says he’s most proud of the relationships he built during his time at the university. It takes a strong team to develop a line – a specific, genetically uniform group of planets developed through repeated inbreeding or self-fertilization – that helps farmers profit while meeting the quality expectations of the consumer.
“It was incredibly rewarding to work with our interns and graduate students, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the next generation of agronomists and plant breeders grow and succeed,” Dorn said. “Our future is bright and I’m grateful to have been part of that journey.”
Dorn, a graduate of University of Nebraska at Kearney, began his career at the university working with the Outstate Testing Group on March 4, 1994. Under Lenis Nelson, professor emeritus of agronomy and horticulture, Dorn and his team conducted unbiased testing on corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum from public and private seed producers; this helped farmers make informed decisions about selecting seed varieties and hybrids.
In 2006, Dorn began working in the Small Grains Breeding Program under P. Stephen Baenziger, professor emeritus and Wheat Growers Presidential Chair, to make crosses with wheat, barley and triticale in the East Campus greenhouses before moving them to field; here, the crosses were evaluated for several years to obtain data before being released to producers.
Now officially retired, Dorn plans to continue working on his family farm and eventually grow the lines he had a hand in developing. He’s looking forward to spending time with family and friends, and keeping up with his favorite hobbies: hunting, fishing and golf.
