The Harold J. Kruse Farming and Environment Award was established in 2022 by Stephanie Kruse, DRI Foundation Vice-Chair and Trustee, to honor her father’s legacy and recognize his farming business sense.
Duane Moser, Ph.D., was selected as the 2023 recipient of this award. Moser’s research, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, focuses on the development and implementation of environmental DNA (eDNA) tools for tracking endangered and invasive aquatic species on historic ranch properties on the headwaters of the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River. Understanding the distribution of endangered and threatened species, as well as the impact of invasive species, is a critical piece in preserving ranching heritage on historic properties in Southern Nevada.
Through the Kruse Award, DRI scientists can submit proposals for research projects that explore the intersections between farming and the environment and the necessary balance between environmental protection and food production.
Harold J. Kruse was born in 1920 near George, Iowa, and was shaped by growing up during the Depression, along with a strong German belief that owning land was the key to success and the future. He used his business and finance expertise to parlay that into owning some of the best farmland in Iowa.
Kruse was also innovative, creating a farm corporation for tax benefits. He was masterful in deciding when to sell the corn and soybeans he had stored to optimize his revenue. In addition to being a very intelligent businessman, he was also generous and charitable.
To learn more about philanthropic opportunities at DRI, please contact the Office of Advancement at foundationinfo@dri.edu or at 775-673-7386.
