He took over for Dr. Corgan who retired in 1996. Dr. Cramer received his Ph.D. in Horticulture Science with an emphasis on plant breeding from North Carolina State University in May of 1997. The breeding efforts of the program could not have been accomplished without the financial support of the New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station, New Mexico Dry Onion Commission, New Mexico Crop Improvement Association, Jose Fernandez Chair of Crop Production, and commercial seed companies. In addition to industry support, the program has considerable student involvement. Each year, the program employs 10-12 students to work on the program either in the field or in the laboratory.
Students gain practical experience of plant breeding and crop production.
The program also plays a critical role in graduate education. Each year the program has 3-4 graduate students conducting research applicable to breeding. The program has trained approximately 35 graduate students for careers in academia, industry, and government both here in the U.S. and abroad. Historical Facts about the Onion Breeding Program Started in 1975 by Dr. Joe N. Corgan. Cultivars are known for adaptability, high yield, high quality, disease resistance, bolting resistance, harvest continuity, and low pungency.