In Memory of Dr. John Williams Miles: A Legacy of Tropical Forage Breeding Innovation

Dr. Miles, a native of California, USA, moved to Colombia in 1973. He started at Peace Corps in Bogotá, where he learned Spanish, which was part of the program. Then, he traveled to Huila and began his journey in agriculture at ICA and later flourished at CIAT, where his unwavering passion and scientific rigor led to the development of Urochloa (Brachiaria) grass varieties. His work significantly enhanced meat and milk production and brought about substantial economic benefits for Latin American farmers, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific community.