Welcome to Borlaug’s Army —a recruitment, engagement, and outreach initiative of the American Phytopathological Society. Free membership in our society, and full access to all of the career development and networking resources are available to any undergraduate in a recognized work experience, an internship, REU, or REEU, anywhere in the world.
Why is it called Borlaug's Army?
Norman Borlaug was a pioneer plant pathologist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. His work saved over a billion (yes billion) people from starvation. The term comes from his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize. Learn more about his astonishing life.
APS Award of Distinction
Normal Borlaug Heritage Foundation
Wikipedia
The man who fed the world - BBC
How can you join us?
Explore plant pathology as an undergraduate, and become an undergraduate member of the American Phytopathological Society. Internships, Research experiences for undergraduates (REU), and Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) are available across the U.S. university system, in government labs, and in industry. Most offer generous stipends, plus housing and travel assistance.
Find them here.
If you are already in an REU/Internship/REEU, or if you are working as an undergraduate in a lab or field program anywhere, you almost certainly qualify for a free APS undergraduate membership under the Borlaug’s Army initiative.
Complete the APS Undergraduate Membership Application
More Information
Become a plant pathologist. Programs leading to master’s and PhD degrees in plant pathology are offered by a number of universities across the United States.
Find them here.
Join APS. We are
the professional society of plant pathology, offering invaluable opportunities to develop an effective professional network. No other society engages in advocacy for our critical mission or offers as many helpful services to its members. Apply for APS Undergraduate Membership
Spread the word. APS is the largest publisher and distributor of educational materials on the importance of plant disease and maintaining plant health, and much of what we produce is available to teachers free of charge. We can help teachers—from kindergarten to college—who would like access to the materials from the online APS Education Center.
Contact us about educational materials.
Feed the world. Make a difference.The world’s population is on track to reach 9 billion by 2030. It will take a second Green Revolution to feed that population while preserving the quality of the environment. That’s the mission of Borlaug’s Army. We are the plant doctors and scientists who will help develop and protect the world’s food supply. Are you interested in having a career with the potential to save 1 billion people? The name Borlaug’s Army comes from the speech Dr. Borlaug gave upon accepting the Nobel Peace Prize:
Obviously, I am personally honored beyond all dreams by my election. But the obligations imposed by the honor are far greater than the honor itself, both as concerns me personally and also the army of hunger fighters in which I voluntarily enlisted a quarter of a century ago for a lifetime term. I am acutely conscious of the fact that I am but one member of that vast army.
What is a plant pathologist?
A plant doctor. A plant pathologist specializes in plant health in the same way that a physician specializes in human health. Keeping plants healthy requires understanding how various organisms cause disease and how plants are harmed by disease. Plant pathologists work with all major food crops, as well as fruits and vegetables, forests and flowers. You name it, and we are engaged in making it better and preserving its health. Our work is mission oriented with the ultimate goal of helping people. We are a low-visibility but high-impact profession, and we need the best and the brightest to join in our work.
"I am acutely conscious of the fact that I am but one member of that vast army... The Green Revolution has not yet been won." -Norman Borlaug
