Honoring a pioneering turkey scientist (in the top turkey-producing state)

Last month, the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) announced that Sally Noll (BS ‘74, MS ‘78, PhD ‘85), professor emerita in the Department of Animal Science, was selected to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 20th Borealis Night of Excellence. The honor serves as a milestone for a career that spans nearly 40 years — a journey that saw Noll rise from a curious transfer student to a nationally recognized leader in poultry science.

Noll was nominated for the award by Anup Kollanoor Johny, a fellow faculty member and poultry scientist. He described how Noll dedicated her career to advancing agricultural sciences and shaping the CFANS poultry science community, beginning as an undergraduate in the department, and culminating with her recent retirement. 

Noll was “surprised” and “humbled” to be selected for the honor, noting that her milestones were achieved through the support of a vast community: her mentors at CFANS and the College of Veterinary Medicine, her collaborators in the turkey industry, and her peers in professional organizations.

Finding her flock 

Originally from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Noll came to the University of Minnesota as a transfer student from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, finishing her degree in animal science. An animal lover raised around dairy cows and chickens, Noll was on track to attend veterinary school. 

A turning point came during her final undergraduate semester. While conducting a research project on turkeys under the guidance of Professor Paul Waibel, something clicked. “I found I liked all aspects of research and working with the turkeys... I really like birds,” Noll recalled. Noll continued her education at UMN, earning both her master’s and doctoral degrees under the mentorship of Waibel, before joining the faculty as a poultry specialist in 1985.

Science for a growing industry 

Minnesota is the "turkey capital" of the nation, ranking first in the total number of turkeys raised across 600 farms. Noll’s early career coincided with a shift in the American diet toward low-fat foods, and an opportunity for the turkey industry. Turkeys, once raised seasonally for holiday centerpieces, were suddenly needed year-round to meet the demand for lean meat.

This shift from "range birds" to year-round confinement in grower houses created urgent scientific questions regarding air quality and disease. Noll’s research at the Rosemount Research and Outreach Center focused on improving indoor facilities and ventilation, specifically tackling issues like air sacculitis and litter condition. As Johny noted, Noll’s work ensured that "impactful research must be grounded in industry relevance," helping Minnesota maintain its status as a global leader in production. 

A first in her field 

When she was hired, Noll became the first woman faculty member in the Department of Animal Science. Entering a male-dominated field in the mid-80s came with unique hurdles. Noll recalled being mistaken for a waitress at a professional meeting and navigating the social awkwardness of being the only woman present.

In those early years, she often questioned her own position, battling self-doubt and wondering if she was a "quota hire". “Your self-confidence goes down a little bit,” she admitted. Because formal faculty mentoring programs didn't yet exist, Noll was intentional about building her own network. She earned the trust of producers one farm visit at a time, proving her expertise through a collaborative attitude and a genuine desire to solve the problems facing Minnesota farmers.

Finding her research community 

Noll found a diverse and accepting cohort of follow researchers through her involvement in the USDA Multistate Research Project titled “Enhancing Poultry Production Systems through Emerging Technologies and Husbandry Practices” (known as NE 127, later NE1942). Noll recalled working with collaborators on an extension of the grant in 1983 — the very early days of the internet — typing on a personal computer in a hotel meeting room, while many collaborators looked over her shoulders and provided their input. The project would continue to be renewed — evolving with current issues and new technologies — throughout Noll's career; it is currently called NE2442.

Noll also found community and mentorship through professional organizations for poultry scientists. The Poultry Science Association was led by Helene Cecil in 1978, the first woman in the role; Noll would lead the organization as President, Vice President, and Past President from 2004 to 2012. 

There is no doubt that Noll’s leadership in the department of animal science and professional poultry organizations has served as a role model for the generations of women who joined the department. In 2018, the department honored this legacy by naming a conference room in Haecker Hall after her. 

Leaning into retirement

Noll retired from the faculty at the end of 2022, after nearly 40 years on the faculty, and almost 50 years after she first joined the campus community as a student. Now, she looks forward to days spent on the Mississippi river, fly fishing for smallmouth bass. A few years ago, she joined the Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota group as a beginner; she now volunteers with the group, introducing other women to the sport, and continuing her roles of building community and sharing what she has learned. 

Noll can still be occasionally seen in Haecker Hall supporting students she mentors and catching up with collaborators. Whether she is casting a line or guiding the next generation of animal scientists, her commitment to community and sharing knowledge remains her greatest catch. 

Sally Noll will accept her Lifetime Achievement Award at the 20th Borealis Night of Excellence on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The CFANS community is invited to join the celebration of Noll and 14 other award recipients.