The George R. Hyslop Professorship
for Oregon Grass Seed Research and Education
In 1997, various organizations and individuals associated with Oregon's grass seed industry joined with the Hyslop family to establish the George R. Hyslop Professorship, in memory and recognition of Professor Hyslop's many contributions to Oregon agriculture. The intent of the professorship is to enhance and focus research and education efforts—both in teaching and Extension—on specific problems of the Oregon grass seed industry, which Professor Hyslop helped establish in the first half of this century.
George Hyslop's career—spanning 35 years in Oregon, from 1908-1943—was a model of careful scientific inquiry, dedication, and hard work. After receiving his bachelor's degree in agronomy from Ohio State College, he and his wife Susan came to Corvallis in the summer of 1908. In 1916 he was appointed Professor of Farm Crops at Oregon Agricultural College, and during World War I, was instrumental in developing Oregon's seed certification system.
An innovative researcher and effective teacher, Professor Hyslop laid the foundation for a grass seed industry, a hop industry, and a fiber flax industry, all in Oregon. He also pioneered a system for shipping Oregon potatoes and surplus forage from irrigated farmlands by sea to the eastern states, thus minimizing Oregon's isolation from major market areas. In addition, Professor Hyslop influenced numerous students who went on to have a major impact on Oregon's agriculture, among them E. R. Jackman, the popular and effective Extension agronomist for whom the present E. R. Jackman Foundation is named.
Since George Hyslop's death in 1943, a memorial scholarship fund established by the late professor's friends and colleagues has been benefiting deserving students in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
Mark Mellbye
Professor Mark Mellbye, OSU Extension agronomist for Linn, Benton, and Lane counties and Crop and Soil Science faculty member, currently holds the Hyslop Professorship. In his capacity as district extension agent for field crops and soil scientist, Mellbye researches seed crops and conducts educational programs for farmers and agri-business representatives throughout the southern Willamette Valley. He works with grass seed, cereal crops and mint production in Linn, Benton, and Lane counties.
Before coming to OSU, Professor Mellbye was an extension agent through Washington State University. In Washington he helped farmers with alfalfa and timothy production and marketing, and range weed control. He also worked with 4-H members on livestock projects.
Professor Mellbye received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Oregon State University. After finishing his undergraduate work, he spent three years in the Peace Corps teaching science and math in Lesotho, Africa.
He has received numerous awards for excellence in education, and published articles dealing with topics ranging from water conservation practices to fertilization practices for seed crops.
