Nikki Rothwell (at right) with Project ICP Michigan cherry researchers and field assistants in spring 2015. Photo: Karen Powers.
Michigan State University AgBioResearch recently profiled Dr. Nikki Rothwell, coordinator of the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center, Project ICP researcher working on cherry pollination, and award-winning cidermaker.
Dr. Rothwell has been at the MSU research center since 2004, and works closely with the local grower community to develop new areas of research and communicate research results. “I’m lucky that I got to come home to Michigan, and I get to work at a place like MSU that’s so supportive,” Rothwell said. “We have a strong backing from growers who are really invested in our research. We are in a position to assist them because of MSU’s commitment and the industry’s support, and as an extension professional, you can’t ask for more.”
In 2008, she opened Tandem Ciders with husband Dan Young. The cider business is growing steadily, and the tasting room – close to the research center – is open year-round. Learn more in Rothwell’s AgBioResearch feature story and Q&A here: http://agbioresearch.msu.edu/news/researcher_qa_nikki_rothwell.