National Sorghum Producers Celebrates Scott Bean and Brent Bean With Outstanding Achievement In Sorghum Improvement Awards

• Press Release
• Sorghum Production

National Sorghum Producers Celebrates Scott Bean and Brent Bean With Outstanding Achievement In Sorghum Improvement Awards

LUBBOCK (Sept. 16, 2026) - National Sorghum Producers (NSP) presented Dr. Scott Bean and Dr. Brent Bean with the Outstanding Achievement Award in Sorghum Improvement at the Sorghum Improvement Conference of North America. This award recognizes their outstanding research and advancements in the sorghum industry.

Scott Bean has spent three decades advancing the industry's knowledge of sorghum proteins and how they can evolve in processing. His work has connected scientific research to real-world applications, giving breeders and processors better tools to evaluate sorghum. With more than 14,000 research citations over his 30-year career, his efforts have expanded sorghum's potential and strengthened the industry's ability to develop new products. "Much of Scott's research focused on sorghum proteins and how they change during processing. He helped explain how starch influences food quality, digestibility, and fermentation," NSP CEO Tim Lust said. "That science supports use in many different areas, especially in the gluten-free foods industry. We all really appreciate Scott's work on that."

After earning degrees from Texas Tech University and the University of Nebraska, Bean Bean spent four decades turning agronomic research into practical solutions for farmers. His work guided growers through crises, especially during the 2013 sugarcane aphid outbreak. Throughout his career, hundreds of publications and monthly updates have shared his research with farmers and established him as a trusted source of sorghum knowledge. "When I look back at Dr. Bean's career, he certainly published a number of items talking about growth and development of sorghum. This continues to be a passion of his today: talking about growth stages, heat units and what it really looks like from a crop standpoint," Lust said. "I appreciate his boldness and willingness to say, 'This is the right thing to do for farmers, and we are just going to do it.'"

Since 1961, the Outstanding Achievement in Sorghum Improvement has acknowledged pioneers who have helped shape the sorghum industry. More than 60 individuals, including Scott Bean and Brent Bean, have been recognized for their significant and lasting contributions to sorghum improvement.

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About National Sorghum Producers

National Sorghum Producers represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry coast to coast through legislative and regulatory representation and education. To learn more about NSP, visit www.sorghumgrowers.com.