Charles E. “Ed” Green, Jr. ’65, Ph.D. ’70, and his wife, Bonnie.

Charles E. “Ed” Green, Jr. ’65, Ph.D. ’70, was drawn to the plant world on his family’s ranch in Chester, Montana. In high school, he became acquainted with Doug Smith, the Montana State University County Extension agent in Chester at the time. Ed joined a soil and plant judging team organized by Smith, training to identify range plants and soil types at state and national competitions.

Following his passion for plants, he enrolled at Montana State University. As an undergraduate, he encountered faculty who introduced him to microbes, viruses, genetics and biochemistry. Ed graduated with a degree in microbiology. He immediately went to work in MSU’s chemistry department with a biochemist whose research launched Ed into the world of molecular biology, which led him to a doctorate in genetics.

After graduate school, Ed joined the University of Minnesota faculty in the agronomy and plant genetics department. There he conducted pioneering research that led to the development of tissue culture methods in corn which were widely adopted in other cereal crops. In addition, he was instrumental in applying these new tools to grain quality and disease and herbicide resistance. Ed spent 14 years at the University of Minnesota before being recruited into the plant biotechnology industry.

Ed quickly moved into management, where his responsibilities focused on developing and applying new methods to enhance variety development in vegetable crops. He finished his management career as senior vice president for research at Seminis, then the largest vegetable seed company in the world. Thereafter, he consulted for several years, including at Monsanto and the International Seed Group.

Ed met his wife, Bonnie, in Minnesota. Bonnie grew up in Gonvick, Minnesota. She attended the University of North Dakota and earned an elementary education and early childhood development degree. She had an elementary teaching career, culminating as the director of a child learning development center, a preschool program with an annual enrollment of 350.

Ed and Bonnie firmly believe in higher education and giving back to future generations.

“We all stand on the shoulders of our predecessors,” Ed said.

When the Greens reflected on their lives and educational experiences, they wanted to help other students discover their own career passions. They also had each benefited from scholarships and strong support.

“The decision to give back to MSU has its roots in the realization that attending MSU was a major formative time for my development and career. When I entered as a freshman, I had a real desire to continue my education but frankly with unformed ideas of where that might actually lead,” Ed said.

Notably, at MSU, Ed was challenged and supported in his research, which ultimately led to his successful research career in plant biosciences.

“Bonnie and I knew that the discovery process is facilitated by the availability of high-quality faculty, who are dedicated to expanding the development of the students they encounter. This is why we find it so compelling to give back to MSU in the form of an endowed chair and an experiential learning fund.”

Through their fund, Bonnie and Ed seek to facilitate undergraduate and graduate students in broadening their educational experience by enabling enhanced learning opportunities outside the classroom, such as research, conference attendance and other scholarly projects. The Greens also created an endowed faculty chair for the Department of Plant Sciences, supporting the recruitment, retainment, research, teaching and outreach activities of the University’s teaching and researching faculty.

“The Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology is a perfect fit for our giving plans because it embodies my career and our desire to facilitate its students and faculty in their careers and success. In the broader sense, this is important work for Montana and the broader world,” Ed said.

Bonnie and Ed have two sons and three grandchildren. They are active in multiple church and community programs.

Ed and Bonnie Green’s gifts directly impact the experiences and educations of individual students like Brandon Tillett ’21 and Rhett Wolery.

Brandon Tillett ‘21

The farm that Rhett grew up on in Rudyard, Montana, is not far from where Ed grew up. Rhett was always interested in the crops and cropping systems his family used on their farm. Having grown MSU wheat varietals on their farm and coming from a whole family of Bobcats, it was easy for Rhett to choose Montana State University to pursue a degree in crop science.

What Rhett did not anticipate, though, was the opportunity he would have as a freshman at MSU, thanks to the Greens’ experiential learning fund.

Brandon grew up gardening in northern Virginia. He always had a green thumb and an interest in genetics, eventually leading him to a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at MSU. Brandon is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in plant sciences and plant genetics at MSU.

“Genetics are at the forefront, cutting edge of science. I am hoping to use my knowledge and skills to breed plants to survive climate change and protect biodiversity,” Brandon said.

Brandon’s research is focused on breeding wheat lines for increased yield, by exploring genes that affect the head metrics of the plant.

Rhett works in the plant bioscience lab, helping Brandon evaluate the effect of different genes. Rhett’s job is funded by the Greens’ fund, and it has given him hands-on learning that is formative to his undergraduate studies and career path.

“It’s been interesting to learn from this side about the wheat varieties that MSU produces. Without this job, I couldn’t gain this priceless experience. It has opened my eyes to different ideas about career paths,” Rhett explained.

Rhett Wolery

Brandon also benefits significantly from the funding provided by Ed and Bonnie. He gets the hands-on help he needs with required tasks and gains teaching and collaborative research experiences for his own career.

“Rhett is a rare type of student. It’s not often that a freshman college student has the drive and interest to learn what I have been teaching Rhett. Rhett is already capable of doing some of our important work on his own. In addition, I gain a lot from one-on-one teaching. It reinforces my own understanding of the field and helps me practice and learn how to be a better educator,” Brandon said.

Brandon and Rhett expressed their gratitude for the Greens and other donors who support education.

“Thank you. Experiences like this are invaluable for students and influence their decisions and career paths,” Rhett said.

Brandon added, “A more educated society builds a better society. Any support of education builds a better future for us all. Funds like those donated by Ed help young students grow and contribute just like the opportunity Ed had all those years ago in higher education.”

The 1893 Society honors and recognizes Ed and Bonnie Green and all those who have made a planned gift commitment to MSU with a gift in their will or other estate planning mechanism, such as annuities, trusts, retirement plans, real estate or life insurance policies.

To learn how planned giving can help you give smarter and transform lives, contact Kevin Brown at 406-994-4815 or kevin.brown@msuaf.org.