1. Eckberg 1
Jim O. Eckberg
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN 55108
Phone: (651) 491-8504
jeckberg@umn.edu
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Research/Career Interests
Agronomy, Risk Analysis, Ecology, and Plant-Insect Interactions
Education
Ph. D., University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN. April 2011- present.
Applied Plant Sciences Program & NSF-IGERT Trainee in Risk Analysis. GPA: 3.75
Thesis: “Multi-functional Agricultural Systems”.
Advisors: Drs. Gregg Johnson and Donald Wyse
M. Sc., University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 2008.
Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program. GPA: 3.76
Thesis: “Native insect herbivory on invasion dynamics of Cirsium vulgare (Bull thistle)”
Advisor: Dr. Svata M. Louda
B. A., Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter, MN, 2004. Biology GPA: 3.51
Research Experience
 Diversified Cropping Systems to Produce Bioenergy and Support Biological Control of Soybean Aphids (2011-Present)
i. Established and managed 160 acres of experimental soybean plots with integrated plantings of prairie polyculture, willow, alley cropping or control for four years
ii. Evaluating how interactions between crops influence yield and biofuel production
iii. Collaborating with a team of entomologists to assess the effect of cropping systems on insect predators and biological control
 Testing the Invasion Risk of Switchgrass Biofuel Cultivars in Prairie (2011-Present)
i. Secured funding from Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund
ii. Formed interdisciplinary team of six faculty and USDA switchgrass breeder
iii. Established seven field experiments with factorial manipulations of switchgrass and environmental factors
 Strategic Placement of Switchgrass and Row Crops on a Watershed to Optimize Production and Mitigate Sedimentation (2013-Present)
i. Collaborating with faculty to utilize results from a SWAT biophysical watershed model
ii. Designed and implemented several watershed optimization scenarios to evaluate trade-offs between multiple production and environmental objectives
 Native Insect Herbivory on the Invasion Dynamics of Cirsium vulgare (Bull thistle) (2005-2008)
i. Designed and conducted multi-site tests of population level effects of herbivores on bull thistle
ii. Collaborated with mathematical and statistical modelers to develop Bayesian hierarchical and demographic models of bull thistle population dynamics

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Mentoring Experience
Trained and supervised 21 student workers and technicians on lab and field research techniques from 2011-2014
Supervised the following independent student and technician research projects:
 Andrew Felton. 2013-2014. Undergraduate Research Opportunity. Greenhouse Test of Competitive Effects of Switchgrass Cultivars on Native Prairie Grasses.
 Rachel Pain. 2013-2014. Spillover of Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum) onto Willow Bioenergy Crops
 Laura Seefeldt. 2013-2014. Effects of Cold-Moist Stratification on Switchgrass Germination
 Karen Blaedow. 2012-2013. Germination Rate of Switchgrass Cultivars versus Wild Populations
 Colin Borsh. 2012. LSSURP. Development of the Hoverfly Toxomerus marginatus on Soybean Aphid
Professional Experience
Research Fellow, University of Minnesota – Department of Soil, Water & Climate, Saint Paul, MN, 2009 - 2011
Ecological Consultant, Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc., Otsego, MN, 2008 - 2011
Teaching Experience
Spring 2014. Experimental Design (AGRO 5121) - Teaching Assistant, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. Evaluated problem sets constituting 70% of student grades, tutored, and lectured on categorical data analysis
Fall 2007- Spring 2008. General Biology Lab- Teaching Assistant, University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Taught biology concepts and principles to non-majors, evaluated student performance
Quantitative Experience
 Seven graduate-level courses in statistics and modeling
 Six years of experience performing analysis in R
 Broad experience in frequentist statistics, mixed models and population demographic modeling
Publications
Peer-Reviewed: Eckberg, J.O., G.A. Johnson, R.E. Pain, D.L. Wyse, and G.E. Heimpel. Spillover of tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum) herbivory on willow bioenergy crops in an agricultural landscape. Accepted. Annals of Applied Biology
Eckberg, J.O., J.A. Peterson, J.M. Kaser, C.P. Borsh, G.A. Johnson, J.C. Luhman, D.L. Wyse and G.E. Heimpel. Field abundance and performance of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) on soybean aphid. In press. Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Runck, B. C., M. B. Kantar, N. R. Jordan, J. A. Anderson, D. L. Wyse, J. O. Eckberg, R. J. Barnes, C. L. Lehman, L. R. DeHaan, R. M. Stupar, C. C. Sheaffer, and P. M. Porter. 2014. The Reflective Plant Breeding Paradigm: A robust system of germplasm development to support strategic diversification of agroecosystems. Crop Science. 54: 1939-1948.
Eckberg, J. O., B. Tenhumberg, and S. M. Louda. 2014. Native insect herbivory limits population growth rate of a non-native thistle. Oecologia. 175: 129-138. [Recommended by “Faculty of 1000 Prime”]
Eckberg, J.O., B. Tenhumberg, and S.M. Louda. 2012. Insect herbivory and propagule pressure influence Cirsium vulgare invasiveness across the landscape. Ecology. 93: 1787-1794.

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Miller, T.E.X., S.M. Louda, K.A. Rose, and J.O. Eckberg. 2009. Impacts of insect herbivory on cactus population dynamics and distribution: Experimental demography across an environmental gradient. Ecological Monographs. 79: 155-172.
Tenhumberg, B., S.M. Louda, J.O. Eckberg and M. Takahashi. 2008. Monte Carlo analysis of parameter uncertainty in matrix models for the weed Cirsium vulgare. Journal of Applied Ecology. 45: 438-447.
Eckberg, J.O., E.A. Bockman, and P.M. Kittelson. 2007. Adding nitrogen controls Yellow Sweetclover in common garden study (Minnesota). Ecological Restoration. 25:279-281.
Reports:
J. Meissen, A. Kendig, J. Eckberg, A. Hefty, and G. Loppnow. 2013. Alpha Version of a Decision-Making Tool to Aid Management of Invasive Bigheaded Carps. United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
B. Runck, M. Kantar, J. Eckberg, R. Barnes, C. Lehman, L. DeHaan, N. Jordan, C. Sheaffer, P. Porter and D. Wyse. 2013. Development of Continuous Living Cover Breeding Programs to Enhance Agriculture’s Contribution to Ecosystem Services. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
R. Schafer, J. Eckberg, and J. Moncrief. 2011. Dedicated Energy Crop Production Final Report. Minnesota NextGen Energy
K. Widin, and J. Eckberg. 2011. Natural Resource Management Plan. Sunfish Lake Park, Lake Elmo, MN. Parks Commission for the City of Lake Elmo, MN.
Research Grants
2011-2014. J. Eckberg, R. Schafer, R. Shaw, N. Jordan, N. Anderson, G. Johnson, D. Wyse, C. Sheaffer, and S. Flint. Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund: “Evaluation of Switchgrass as Biofuel Crop.” $120,000.
2013-2016. Peterson, J, GE Heimpel, KR Hopper, DL Wyse, C Fernholz, GA Johnson, JM Kaser, and JO Eckberg. USDA-NIFA North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Grant: “Promoting Sustainable Biological Control of the Soybean Aphid by Examining the Effect of Biodiversity on Releases of the Parasitoid Wasp Aphelinus glycinis.” $198,606.
2013-2015. J. Forester, N. Jordan, A. Davis, S. Flint, J. Eckberg, G. Johnson. USDA-NIFA: “Effect of Landscape Structure on the Invasion of Biofuel Crops.”
2006 Center for Great Plains Studies Grant- $325 2005-07 School of Biological Science- Special Funds Grants (3 awards) - $3,700
2005-06 Cedar Point Biological Station Grant (2 awards) - $3,500
2005-06 Initiative for Ecological & Evolutionary Analysis Grant (2 awards) - $3,175 2005 Weaver Competitive Grant, Nature Conservancy - $1,000
Fellowships and Scholarships
2014 Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics – Dale Gandrud Fellowship - $3,000
2013 Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics – Gordon and Lynette Marten Fellowship - $3,000
2012-2014 Graduate School Metric Fellowship Award (4 Awards) - $2000
2011 Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics – Dale Gandrud Fellowship - $1,000
2011-2012 NSF-IGERT Fellowship in Risk Analysis for Introduced Species and Genotypes - $68,211
2008 GAANN Fellowship and Grant - $6,058
2006-07 A. W. Sampson Rangeland Fellowship - $18,000 2005-07 Graduate Studies Fellowship (2 awards) - $5,500
2004-06 Life Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship - $36,000

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2003 Morris K. Udall Scholarship, U.S. Congress- $5,000
Other Awards
2013 CenUSA Bioenergy Travel Award for “Switchgrass II” Conference - $400
2008 Nebraska Invasive Species Conference - 1st Place Poster
2006-2008 School of Biological Science - Travel Award (2 awards) - $1,000
2003 Charles L. Hamrum Research Award - $1,000 2000-03 Sigma Xi Research grants (3) - $1,200
Selected Research Presentations (Last Three Years)
i) Invited Oral Presentations
Eckberg, J, D Mulla, JA Peterson, D Wyse, G Heimpel, and GA Johnson. 2013. Designing farm
landscapes to enhance ecosystem services. In: “Section Symposium: Biofuel cropping systems:
Connecting beneficial arthropods, ecosystem services, and landscape effects.” Annual Meeting of
the Entomological Society of America. Austin, TX.
Peterson, J, J Eckberg, K Blaedow, J Kaser, G Johnson, and G Heimpel. 2013. Biological
control and resource utilization by natural enemies in integrated perennial bioenergy plantings.
In: “Section Symposium: Biofuel cropping systems: connecting beneficial arthropods, ecosystem
services, and landscape effects.” Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Austin,
TX.
Eckberg, J., G Johnson, D Mulla, and D Wyse 2013. Designing and Valuing Future Farm
Landscapes. In: “Ignite Session: Complementarity Considers Ecological Principles to Create
Sustainable Pathways.” Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Minneapolis, MN.
Eckberg, J, R Shaw, G Johnson, M Casler, C Sheaffer, K Blaedow, N Anderson, N Jordan, S Flint, R
Schafer, and D Wyse. 2013. Testing the Invasive Potential of Biofuel Grasses. University of
Minnesota – Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Research Intern Symposium. East Bethel, MN
Eckberg, J., N Anderson, N Jordan, R Shaw, C Sheaffer, G Johnson, M Casler, S Flint, R
Schafer, and D Wyse. 2012. Invasion risks associated with switchgrass biomass production: A
discussion. In: “Symposium: Growing Risk: Assessing the Invasive Potential of Bioenergy.”
Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Portland, OR.
Eckberg, J, R Shaw R Schafer, N Anderson, N Jordan, G Johnson, C Sheaffer, S Flint, and D Wyse.
2012. Invasion Risk of Selectively Bred Switchgrass Bioenergy Crops. University of Minnesota –
Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve Intern Symposium. East Bethel, MN.
Eckberg, JO, G Johnson, G. Heimpel, J Peterson, J Kaser, C Sheaffer, and D Wyse. 2012. Integrative
Perennial Cropping Systems to Improve Biological Control of the Soybean Aphid. Organic Field
Day – Lamberton Research and Outreach Center. Lamberton, MN.
Eckberg, JO, G Johnson, G. Heimpel, J Peterson, J Kaser, C Sheaffer, and D Wyse. 2012. Integrative
Perennial Cropping Systems to Improve Biological Control of the Soybean Aphid. Third Annual
Crop Producers Meeting. Fairmont, MN.
ii) Contributed Presentations
Eckberg, J, G Johnson, G Heimpel, J Peterson, J Kaser, M Plecas, C Sheaffer, and D Wyse. 2014. Integrative
Perennial Cropping Systems to Produce Food, Bioenergy, and Ecosystem Services. ASA, CSSA, & SSSA.
Long Beach, CA. (oral)

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Eckberg, J, G Johnson, R Shaw, M Casler, C Sheaffer, K Blaedow, N Jordan, N Anderson, S
Flint, R Schafer, and D Wyse. 2013. Ecological Interactions Differ for Switchgrass Cultivars and
Wild Populations. Switchgrass Conference II. Madison, WI. (poster)
Eckberg, J., G Johnson, R Shaw, M Casler, C Sheaffer, N Jordan, N Anderson, S Flint, R Schafer,
and D. Wyse. 2013. Ecological Interactions Differ for Switchgrass Cultivars and Wild Populations.
Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Minneapolis, MN. (oral)
Peterson, JA, J Eckberg, J Kaser, K Blaedow, G Johnson, and G Heimpel. 2013. Perennial
Bioenergy Plantings Enhance an Ecosystem Service and Provide Resources for Beneficial Insects in
Agricultural Fields. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Minneapolis, MN. (oral)
Eckberg, J, R Schafer, R Shaw, N Anderson, N Jordan, G Johnson, C Sheaffer, S Flint, and D Wyse.
2012. Invasion Risks Associated with Switchgrass Biofuel Cultivars. 2012. Seminar Series –
University of Minnesota IGERT on Risk Analysis for Introduced Species and Genotypes. Saint
Paul, MN. (oral)
Eckberg, JO, G Johnson, G. Heimpel, J Peterson, J Kaser, C Sheaffer, and D Wyse. 2012. Integrative
Perennial Cropping Systems to Improve Biological Control of the Soybean Aphid. University of
Minnesota- Applied Plant Sciences Seminar Series. Saint Paul, MN (oral)
Service and Outreach Activities:
 Co-Organizer of Symposium: “Introduction of Microbes: For Better or Worse”. 2013. University of Minnesota- Risk Analysis of Introduced Species and Genotypes.
 Mentor for At-Risk Youth: “Growing Food, Growing Youth” 2013.
 Expert consultant for Minnesota Noxious Weed Advisory Committee
Society Affiliations:
Ecological Society of America (2001-Present)
Sigma Xi Research Society (2004-Present)
Entomological Society of America (2013-Present)
American Society of Agronomy (2014-Present)