George Hochmuth

George Hochmuth grew up on the family farm on Maryland's lower Eastern Shore, where a deep connection to agriculture took root early. Immersed in the world of vegetable and grain crop production, heavy equipment operation, and trucking, these formative years ignited an enduring passion for plants. This passion led to a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from the University of Maryland, College Park. During his undergraduate years, George balanced hands-on agricultural work at the family farm and the University of Maryland Vegetable Research Center, alongside academic research at the USDA Beltsville Research Center. Encouraged by professors from both institutions, he pursued a doctoral degree in plant breeding and genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Under the mentorship of Dr. Warren Gabelman, his groundbreaking research led to the discovery of a new gene influencing tomato morphology, with a focus on phosphorus uptake and utilization.

After earning his doctorate in 1980, George joined the faculty of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, focusing on plant nutrition genetics and sweet corn breeding. In 1984, he transitioned to the University of Florida's Horticultural Sciences Department, teaching and researching plant nutrition. His career further evolved when he became Center Director of the UF IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy in 1999. By 2006, he returned to campus as Associate Dean for Research at IFAS, concluding his career in the Soil and Water Science Department before retiring in 2016.

Throughout his career, George made substantial contributions to academia and global agricultural practices. He traveled extensively, presenting at conferences and teaching about plant nutrition, water, and fertilizer management for crops. His extensive publication record includes one book and over 500 peer-reviewed articles. He mentored more than 50 graduate students, many of whom continue to impact the field. His internet-based course on sustainable agriculture, hosted on Coursera, has reached nearly 50,000 students worldwide. Beyond his professional achievements, George shares a lifelong journey with his wife, Marilyn, whom he met in Madison during graduate school. Introduced by Marilyn’s sister, the couple has built a life together in Massachusetts and Florida. They are proud parents of two daughters, each dedicated to making the world a better place.