Purpose

The Institute of Barley and Malt Sciences serves to promote the informational and educational activities/resources on barley and malt at North Dakota State University.

History

Barley has long been an important part of North Dakota agriculture, and the state has consistently ranked as a top-three producer of barley since the 1930’s. Immigrants brought barley to the Dakota Territory in the 1880’s, and University researchers began testing varieties for adaptation shortly after the founding of North Dakota State University in 1890. The Barley Variety Improvement Program began in earnest in 1947 when NDSU hired a barley breeder and a barley cereal chemist. Today there are three faculty members and seven technical staff working full-time on barley improvement. In addition, many other NDSU faculty and USDA-ARS staff conduct research work related to barley and malt, making NDSU the true center of barley expertise. The Institute of Barley and Malt Sciences was founded in March 2006.