Tami Brown (assistant breeder) and Dale Brown (research technician) taking notesAbout Us

NexGen Turf Research is dedicated to producing cool season turf grasses that fit a variety of marketing needs. Our goal is to address the needs of the consumer. NexGen strives to build cultivars that require less water, fewer chemical applications and less frequent mowing.

The NexGen Turf Research facility has 2.5 acres of turf land and 135 acres of field trials in two locations within the Willamette Valley. This facility was designed for research and development of varieties. NexGen is equipped with greenhouses, warehouses, laboratory facilities, seed cleaning equipment, a rain-out shelter and disease chambers. Research is done using turf, single plant and seed selections.

NexGen Turf Research has turf plots in locations across the United States, trialing is conducted using University systems and private enterprises.

Employees

Our team of nine full-time employees is headed up by Kenneth Hignight, Director of Research. Kenneth received a B.S. from Tarleton State University in Plant and Soil Sciences and a M.S. from Texas A & M in Plant Breeding. Kenneth has been employed by NexGen Turf Research since 1990. Prior to that he worked at the Texas Agriculture Experiment Station from 1981-1988 and was employed by the USDA from 1988-1989. Kenneth’s focus of work at NexGen is to improve turf-type cultivars of tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and fine fescues. Areas of study include drought, disease resistance, and turf quality. Turf trials have been established across the United States for evaluation of varieties.

Our Team NexGen Employees

  • Kenneth Hignight - Director of Research
  • Debra Hignight - Plant Breeder   
  • Tami Brown - Assistant Plant Breeder
  • Lisa Dooley - Administrative Assistant
  • Henk Seunninga - Farm Manager
  • Dale Brown - Research Technician - RST
  • David Maliszewski - Research/Turf Technician
  • Kenny King - Field Technician
  • Colton Hartshorn - Asst. Farm Manager

    •  In photo from left to right: Henk Seunninga, Colton Hartshorn, Lisa Dooley, Tami Brown, Dale Brown, Kenny King, David Maliszewski, Kenneth Hignight, Debra Hignight.