Robert L. Kremer

Robert Kremer holds a B.S. and M.S. in agronomy from the University of Missouri and Ph.D. in soil science and biochemistry from Mississippi State University. He is currently a consulting soil scientist and holds courtesy appointments as Adjunct Professor of Soil Microbiology in the School of Natural Resources and the Division of Plant Science & Technology at the University of Missouri. In 2014 he retired after a 32-year career as a microbiologist with U.S.D.A, Agricultural Research Service. He has co-authored two books, 30 book chapters, and authored or co-authored 165 refereed research articles. Dr. Kremer is a Certified Soil Scientist and a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and the Weed Science Society of America. He began studies in soil health in the early ‘90s and was among the first to show the association of microbial activity with soil health in various agroecosystems. He shows how on-farm observations of good soil health are associated with sustainable agricultural practices by using robust assessments that include biological indicators. Demonstrating that soil health can be improved sustainably is exciting because this stimulates better ecologically-based management of soils, practices that include organic amendments, cover crops and use of biostimulants. A primary objective is to move farming toward reduced soil disturbance and fewer chemical inputs that degrade the environment. This experience has been applied to teaching lessons in soil microbiology and sustainable agriculture at the University of Missouri. Soil health principles are also practiced on the diversified family farm in Osage County, Missouri.