John Tillman

John (Jack) Tillman is a researcher with the University of Minnesota apple breeding program. He joined the breeding program in 2013 following eight years in the Army Reserve and a year working within the University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science on cold-hardy Prunus. As a member of the apple breeding program, Jack oversees the development and use of genetic tests and testing. He has strong interest in fermented apple cider and has brought this interest to the apple breeding program. For the last several years he has lead fermentation trials and cider evaluations at the Horticultural Research Center. In addition to lab and breeding work, he is currently part of a team of researchers looking at Minnesota apples and their cider potential.