John Mai

Western Kansas native John Mai graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in botany and has always been interested in studying plants and doing conservation work. After reading Wes Jackson’s book New Roots for Agriculture, John became a follower of what Wes Jackson and The Land Institute were doing. He thought that working for The Land Institute would be a dream come true, and when he found himself looking for a job in 2000, a farm manager position opened up. He started by taking care of the longhorn cattle and farm plots. From 2006 on, he worked as a research technician.

My most perennial trait is Hard Work – always plenty to do.

2000-2003 Farm Manager, 2006-2016 Research Technician at The Land Institute