Since 1997, Bruce Potter has researched pests for the University of Minnesota, but the interest in those pesky little critters began when Potter was just a young kid with a magnifying glass.  

“Some of the earliest memories I have as a young kid were studying ants trying to figure out why and how they can go from point A to point B,” Potter said. “Later in life I was planning to be an architect, but then I discovered you can get a whole degree from the University of Minnesota studying insects, so I was all in.”  

Now after a more than 25-year career as a UMN Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist, Potter is retiring and swapping the magnifying glass for a fly-fishing rod.  

Potter, who began his career in the private sector, has helped play a key role in several major pest and disease discoveries and research studies during his career at UMN and the Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SROC) in Lamberton. His work encompassed projects related to developing the economic threshold for soybean aphids to white mold research and even discovering new pests in Minnesota. 

“He’s been Johnny on the Spot throughout his whole career. Bruce was the first person to report soybean gall midge in Minnesota down on a farm in Rock County,” said David Kee, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council director of research. “But more importantly, he’s an extremely competent entomologist and IPM specialist with the ability to focus through the complex issues of pest management and determine the root of the issue.” 

Over the years, Potter developed a strong relationship with MSR&PC. With checkoff support, MSR&PC funded at least one of his research projects every year since he started at UMN, and often times multiple projects. He was also a regular speaker during the Brown County Corn & Soybean Growers Board’s annual meetings.  

“I’ve seen a lot of new pests and diseases in Minnesota during my time, so a lot of my research involves studying and getting to know them and then watching their resistance develop over time,” Potter said. “MSR&PC has been a great partner in funding those initial research projects when those problems arrived.” 

For the future researchers who will come along after him, Potter offers two tidbits of advice. 

“First, be willing to listen and second, know what you do not know,” he said. “That’ll help you design experiments, and it’ll help you figure out the quickest way to solve the problem.” 

While Potter is now retired, he’s not stepping away completely from the research game. Between fishing outings, he’s still finishing up publications from his recent research work and hopes to continue to do some work with the University and the private sector where began his career.  

“Hopefully get some boots on the ground, because that’s what I’ve enjoyed most throughout my career,” said Potter. “Working on-farm and interacting with the farmers has been some of my greatest memories and experiences.”