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Bonnie Johnson
February 12, 2026
Media ArticleUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Bijesh Maharjan, an associate professor in agronomy and horticulture and an extension specialist at the Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center in Scottsbluff, was named the Ray and Jolene Ward Professor of Soil Health Science, effective April 1, 2026.
The newly established professorship in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture honored the Wards for their long-standing contributions to Nebraska agriculture. Ray and Jolene Ward founded Ward Laboratories, Inc. in 1983 with the core goal of providing high-quality analytical results to help customers make informed decisions about their operations. What began in a three-bay garage in Kearney, Nebraska, grew into a state-of-the-art facility staffed by a team of highly qualified agricultural professionals.
Ward’s impact extended beyond laboratory data. He was an advocate for sustainable soil management and promoted practices that enhanced soil health, conserved resources, and improved long-term productivity. He received numerous honors, including recognition from the Soil Science Society of America, the Nebraska Farm Bureau Silver Eagle Award, and induction into the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement, which reflected his enduring commitment to science-based service and leadership in soil health and fertility. Maharjan, the inaugural recipient of the professorship, focused his efforts on soil health and introduced the concepts of the Soil Health Gap and the Soil Health Cycle, which were instrumental in the development of Soil Health Science.
As an extension specialist in soil and nutrient management, Maharjan developed a widely recognized and effective soil health and fertility program that addressed soil health and fertility challenges in Panhandle cropping systems. These systems included corn, sugar beets, dry edible beans, winter wheat, and newer crops such as mint.
Maharjan earned a doctorate in land and atmospheric science from the University of Minnesota in 2013 and joined the department as a postdoctoral research associate in 2014. He joined the faculty in 2016 and was promoted to associate professor and granted tenure in 2022.
The Ray and Jolene Ward Professor of Soil Health Science professorship recognized accomplished scientists who translated research into practice through outreach, engagement, and extension activities that made a meaningful difference in agricultural practices.
Photo by: agronomy.unl.edu
