“Cactus Corn” and an $18 Check: How a 7-Year-Old Reminded Us Why We Do Plant Science
On September 8, 2025, a small envelope arrived at the Danforth Center with a big message inside. Tucked beside a check for $18—carefully written from her mother’s account—was a note in irregular printing:
“My name is August Oberdieck. I’m seven years old. I saw Dr. Fowler speak the other night and I would like to donate my money to help the scientist find ways to feed all the kids. Thank you. August Knoll Oberdieck.”
She had been inspired by the Seeds of Change event at the Danforth Center featuring Dr. Cary Fowler, who spoke of the food security challenges facing humanity and the ways plant science can help. We were inspired by her precocious generosity and invited August—“Auggie” to her family—to the Center for a tour. She left all of us a little more hopeful than when she arrived.
Auggie sent this handwritten note along with her donation check.
Meet Auggie: Constantly Curious
Auggie is a second grader in O’Fallon, Missouri. She loves science, has a new lab coat courtesy of her aunt, and comes from a family where curiosity is a team sport. As her mom told us, “As my husband says, Auggie has always been constantly curious, ever since she was very small. She observes everything all the time.” With lots of family in town—and many female cousins working in science, including one researching mantis shrimp at Brown University—Auggie has plenty of co-explorers for her questions.
Auggie preps seeds with the help of Veena Veena, PhD, Director of the Danforth Center's Plant Transformation Facility.
A day in the lab: “That looks like a dishwasher. That looks like a freezer.”
During her tour, Auggie prepped seeds like a pro, peeked through advanced microscopes, marveled at hundreds of plants gliding past in our phenotyping facility, and took in the warm, leafy air of the greenhouses—leaving with a plant and about a thousand new questions. At one point she surveyed a room full of instruments and declared, with seven-year-old accuracy, “That looks like a dishwasher. That looks like a freezer.”
Somewhere between microscopes and whirling plants, we told Auggie about corn varieties that can grow with less water. Without missing a beat, she renamed them: “cactus corn.” Then came the follow-up only a true scientist asks: “Could it grow in the desert?”
Auggie speaks with a Danforth Center scientist while her mother looks on.
Plant science is cool.
We sat down with Auggie to ask why she donated to the Center. Her answer was straightforward: “Because kids everywhere should have enough to eat.” In a world full of complex problems, seven-year-old clarity is a superpower. Auggie doesn’t need a grant proposal to connect the dots between discovery and dinner. She added: “Plant science is cool because it can help people.”
Kids everywhere should have enough to eat… Plant science is cool because it can help people.
Auggie O. age 7
What Her Gift Means
Every contribution moves our mission forward—from advancing drought-tolerant crops (yay, “cactus corn”!) to improving nutrient density and resilience in the face of a changing climate. Auggie’s $18 reminds us that impact isn’t measured only in amounts—it’s measured in intention, trust, and community. It’s also a beautiful signal to the next generation of scientists that they already belong here.
Auggie receives the gift of a plant while touring the Danforth Center greenhouses.
Thank you, Auggie
To Auggie and her family: thank you for your curiosity, your kindness, and your belief in what plant science can do. We can’t wait to see where your questions take you next—and we’ll be cheering for you in that super-cool lab coat.
You Can Help
Inspired by Auggie? Gifts of every size help scientists develop improved crops that use fewer inputs, persist in extreme weather, and nourish more people. If a seven-year-old can move the needle, so can we all.