Frank Nicholas Meyer

The trip inspired many others, and a big part of Vavilov's life's work was to collect genetic diversity that could be used in plant breeding programs to strengthen Russia's agriculture and food security.

He got funding to take a trip to the US then in 1921 to visit collections of famous plant explorers like David Fairchild and Frank Meyer.

I think we've talked about them in former History of Ag Innovation episodes.

Then he went on to visit multiple sites throughout the US to add to his own collection, including a massive haul from Luther Burbank, who is from my home county in Santa Rosa, California.