Offerdahl Gift accelerates breakthrough research in sustainable agriculture at NDSU

Richard ‘65 and Linda Offerdahl have committed $3 million to advance groundbreaking research led by NDSU scientist Barney Geddes, accelerating a transformative innovation in agriculture.

The new funding will accelerate research focused on biological nitrogen fixation in cereal crops, a development with the potential to redefine modern agriculture. This work positions NDSU at the forefront of efforts to reduce global dependence on synthetic fertilizers while supporting farmers’ economic sustainability.

“Atmospheric nitrogen fixation has been described as the holy grail,” said Richard Offerdahl. “We were offered a partnership in making this happen. Let’s do it!”

The research seeks to engineer beneficial plant-microbe partnerships that enable crops such as barley to access nitrogen naturally from the atmosphere, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. This innovation could lower production costs for farmers, improve environmental sustainability, and expand access to critical inputs for producers around the world.

Geddes and his team have already made significant progress, building on discoveries supported by the Offerdahls’ earlier investments. “Building on the remarkable progress achieved through the Richard and Linda Offerdahl Faculty Fellowship, this new gift commitment will support the next phase of our program,” Geddes said. “Together, these efforts represent an important step toward a future where cereal production relies less on synthetic nitrogen fertilizer.”

At the same time, the research remains one of the most complex and demanding challenges in modern agricultural science, requiring sustained investment, long-term commitment, and philanthropic support to advance meaningful progress.

“Richard and Linda are invested in the work of Dr. Barney Geddes and his research team in a way that is truly distinctive at NDSU,” said John R. Glover, president and CEO of the NDSU Foundation. “Their philanthropy is inspirational to the entire NDSU community and is a model for how our alumni and friends care about what can be accomplished here. We are immensely grateful for all they do to support NDSU.”

The Offerdahls were first introduced to Geddes’ research through a presentation outlining its potential to fundamentally change agriculture. Inspired by the opportunity for immediate, bold and lasting impact, they chose to invest in advancing the science with a goal of seeing meaningful progress in their lifetime and accelerating real-world impact.

Their philanthropic approach enables long-term momentum while elevating the visibility of NDSU research on a global stage. The continued support also helps position Geddes’ work at the forefront of scientific discovery in sustainable agriculture.

More information on Geddes’ research is available on the lab website.