Smith, Margaret

Professor

Positions

Professor, Plant Breeding and Genetics (PB&G), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
Dir Assoc Acad, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (CUAES)

Margaret E. Smith joined the faculty at Cornell University in 1987 in the College of Agriculture and Life Science’s Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, focusing on corn breeding.

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head of

Plant Breeding Cooperative Extension

member of graduate field

other Cornell affiliations

Cornell Organic Working Group

member of

David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future (ACSF) Faculty Fellow

outreach overview

As Department Extension Leader, I aim to make our extension program as strong as it can be in support of our mission, guided by the following specific goals: (1) Help NY farmers and gardeners improve variety choices and seed quality. a. Grow and provide Foundation seed and help seed growers produce Certified seed of superior crop varieties for NY. b. Share results of variety testing on NY farms and experiment stations to help seed companies determine which varieties to market, seed growers decide which varieties to produce, and farmers select top varieties for their farms. c. Provide decision-making information to help farmers make wise seed choices. d. Gain feedback for breeders based on seed growers' and farmers' experiences with new crop varieties. e. Conduct commercial field corn variety trials to assess grain yield potential and adaptation to NY growing environments, and provide this information to growers and seedsmen. (2) Improve public understanding of plant breeding, crop varieties, and genetic engineering and increase awareness of the benefits that have been derived from genetic improvement of plants. a. Provide educational programs and written resources on plant breeding and genetic engineering. b. Develop a plan and resource materials for education about gene deployment across the landscape.
Seeds of well-adapted and highly productive crop varieties are a critical input for all NY farmers and gardeners. Seed growers and seed companies are key players in providing such seeds. The varieties they draw on for NY include improved crop varieties developed and tested by Cornell plant breeders. Often these carry better pest resistance (which reduces pesticide needs) and superior yield and quality that benefit both producers and consumers. Such new varieties may not reach their intended audience without strong extension programs that involve farmers, seed growers, and the seed industry. These same stakeholders also provide critical feedback to researchers on variety needs for NY, thus helping to ensure that Cornell plant breeders’ research programs are well targeted and effective. Extension interaction with these groups provides the vehicle for information flow both ways, and is a key focus of my extension program. A second area of focus is genetically engineered crops. There is significant public concern and misunderstanding about genetically engineered crops, and education that is accessible to the general public on this topic is essential. Experience shows that people respond well to information about genetic engineering that is balanced, accurate, and presented in an understandable way. It helps them to make more thoughtful and well-informed choices of their own regarding genetically engineered crops. Speaking to public audiences on this topic is another major component of my extension effort

service to the profession

National Agriculture Biotech Council Representative 2008 -
U.S.D.A. Maize Crop Germplasm Committee Member 1997 -
U.S.A.I.D. Scientific Liaison Officer to CIMMYT Member 1993 -
New York Academy of Sciences Member 1990 -
AI-SPER-0203DF692AB00010923 Member 1988 -
American Association for the Advancement of Science Member 1987 -
International Sweet Corn Development Association Member 1987 -
American Society of Agronomy Member 1982 -
Crop Science Society of America Member 1982 -
Northeastern Corn Improvement Conference Committee President 2006 - 2007
Plant Variety Protection Office Federal Advisory Board Member 1998 - 2004
Northeastern Corn Improvement Conference Committee Administrative Advisor 1998 - 2003
International Sweet Corn Development Association Board of Directors 1997 - 2002
Northeastern Corn Improvement Conference Committee President 1991 - 1992
Northeastern Corn Improvement Conference Committee Secretary 1990 - 1991

Positions

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