Douglas Karcher reappointed chair of Department of Horticulture and Crop Science

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Douglas Karcher has been reappointed as professor and chair of the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). The reappointment is effective July 1 through June 30, 2029, pending approval by the university’s Board of Trustees.

Karcher, a CFAES alumnus, has served as chair since 2021. He previously held multiple leadership roles at the University of Arkansas, including interim assistant director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and assistant head of the Department of Horticulture. He began his academic career there in 2000 as an assistant professor and was promoted to professor in 2016.

“We are excited to continue benefiting from Dr. Karcher’s thoughtful leadership and deep commitment to our land-grant mission,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. “His work to build a cohesive departmental identity, elevate our research and academic programs and foster meaningful stakeholder engagement has been invaluable.”

Karcher earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy with a minor in plant pathology from Ohio State in 1994. He earned both his master’s degree and doctorate in crop and soil sciences from Michigan State University.

In his second term as chair, Karcher will focus on developing a shared departmental identity, building on recent faculty hires and successes. He will also lead the creation of a strategic plan to support academic program sustainability, increase research impact and boost Ohio State University Extension engagement, while aligning with college priorities and funding obligations. OSU Extension is CFAES’ outreach arm.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and privilege to continue leading the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science for another four years,” said Karcher, noting that he has hired 13 new faculty members during his first term and will shift focus toward, “expanding the impact of our teaching, research and OSU Extension programs, and to further establish ourselves as a global leader in the discipline.”

That effort will include continuing to grow undergraduate and graduate enrollment, launching a new professional online master’s degree program and strengthening outreach and partnerships with alumni and stakeholders, he said.

“Ohio’s horticulture and crop science industries are diverse and thriving, and it’s a pleasure to work with such a talented team committed to advancing the cultivation of plants for food, feed, forage, fiber, fuel and fun,” Karcher said.

His research has focused on improving turfgrass quality through sustainable practices that reduce the need for water, fertilizer and pesticides. He also advanced the evaluation of turfgrass research plots by developing digital image analysis techniques and associated software, which are now widely adopted.

Learn more about the CFAES Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at hcs.osu.edu.