Americans of African descent have made impacts on the farming industry, horticulture and related food processes from the first arrival in the British colonies and from the time the United States was formed. Today, that tradition of agricultural and scientific contributions continues. For Black History Month 2025, ColorBlindWork will spotlight some of those trailblazers.
Malcolm Thompson is renowned for his research on insect and plant biochemistry. He was the first Black person to be inducted into the ARS Science Hall of Fame in 1994. Thompson was an accomplished scientist. His best known work was in the study of “steroid hormones (ecdysteroids) that regulate molting in insects and other invertebrates.” For those of us who have struggled with dissections of insects, we recognize that his research into the developing embryos of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, is a tremendous feat. (photo: ARS Hall of Fame)
All gardeners know that anything called “hornworm” is likely an enemy that will seek to devour (and destroy) our garden plants. The tobacco hornworm fits that description. It is a common pest of plants in the family Solanaceae, which includes tobacco, tomato, pepper, eggplant and others. Thompson’s research unearthed (pun intended) information about the development of the worm.
Mr. Thompson falleció and returned to his ancestors in 2004. We are grateful to him and for all the scientists who support and protect U.S. agriculture from the largest commercial farms to the small home gardens. Common ground: we all have to eat.
Want to grow some of your own food? We supply starter plants and free seeds (availability varies). Get to know us at ColorBlindWork | People. Plants. Purpose. Let’s grow something!
References
https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/agriculture-america-deeply-rooted-black-culture
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