ST. PAUL, Minn. - An expert in wheat diseases, a food company executive and a pair of entrepreneurs have won the University of Minnesota's Siehl Prize in Agriculture.

This year's recipients include:

_University researcher Yue Jin, a leader in work aimed at stopping the spread of rust in wheat and barley, a significant threat to the world's food supply.

_Philip Minerich, vice president of research and development at Hormel Foods, where he has led innovations in packaging, food technology and food safety.

_Ted Huisinga and Ray Norling, who built Willmar Poultry Co. into a multi-faceted firm with a dozen affiliated companies, all related to the turkey industry.

The prize is awarded annually by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. It was created by a gift from New Ulm-area businessman Eldon Siehl.

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Online:

Siehl Prize: http://www.cfans.umn.edu/siehlprize/index.html