The Noble Research Institute is shifting its focus from plant science to regenerative agriculture. For many research staff, that means taking buyouts.
For the past 75 years, the institute studied plants to help support farmers and ranchers. In January, the research organization had 340 employees with a budget of about $60 million.
The shift to regenerative agriculture impacts nearly 40 percent of its staff of 340, according to institute spokesman Adam Calloway. He says 137 staff including plant science, breeding and core service were offered severance packages, and 118 took them.
Calloway says the institute has placed about a dozen of the employees into new positions. He says once research priorities are determined, they will start hiring for new teams, and former employees are welcome to apply.
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