Matt Clark

Matt Clark serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticultural Science within the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota, where he is also affiliated with the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center. His research integrates plant breeding, genetics, and agricultural economics to develop cold-hardy fruit crops and manage invasive species.

His primary research interests focus on grape breeding (particularly cold-hardy cultivars like the University of Minnesota's Itasca grape), apple genetics for disease resistance, and invasive plant management. Current projects include breeding apples with durable fungal resistance, optimizing management practices for Minnesota grape farmers, and assessing wild Rubus relatives for caneberry improvement.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong interdisciplinary connections between plant physiology, agricultural economics, and sustainable food systems. His work spans from molecular genetics (e.g., trichome density studies) to consumer behavior research for novel local foods.

Clark actively secures major research funding with 21 projects totaling over $10 million since 2011, including current USDA and Minnesota Department of Agriculture grants running through 2028. He advises PhD students and maintains active collaborations with institutions like Cornell University.

His public impact includes significant media engagement around the Itasca grape launch, with features in KARE 11 and agricultural publications highlighting how this cold-hardy cultivar enables Minnesota wine production.