Maybe we should move Dr. Krischenmann and the Leopold Center to UNI, where
people like Kamyar Enshayan, Daryl Smith, DAve Williams, Kirk Henderson,
Greg Houseal, Laura Jackson, and a host of other sustainable agriculture
and environmental advocates are solidly entrenched, and where the
university adminstration is not beholden to Monsanto, Cargill, ADM, et
al.--where, indeed, the university sees sustainability and environmental
protection as a part of its mission.


> Forwarded by Jane Clark
>
> Last week, Fred Kirschenmann was given 48 hours to resign as director of
> the
> Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and to accept a position as the
> "Distinguished Fellow" of the center.  A new director was appointed before
> Dr. Kirschenmann was given notice. Over the past five years, Dr.
> Kirschenmann has worked tirelessly and with great dedication to the vision
> and work of the center. He has been highly respected by the Center's
> staff.
>
> The reason for Fred Kirschenmann's removal from the directorship of the
> Center seems clear. Fred Kirschenmann had not placated agribusiness.
> They've
> been ferociously lobbying the dean's office for the past year and a half
> to
> get him to stop his work on Ag in the Middle and other projects that
> benefit
> farmers and the land.
>
> If you see fit to protest Fred Kirschenmann's removal as Director of the
> Leopold Center for Sustainble Agriculture, you might make the following
> points:
>
> 1) This is a violation of academic freedom;
> 2) Fred Kirschenmann's tenure brought hope and opportunity for Iowa's
> farmers. Removing him caves in to the old paradigm of factory farms and
> environmental degradation.
> 3) Agribusiness should not be allowed to dominate the agenda.  Its time to
> establish a public interest agenda that honors the original mission of the
> center and mandate of Aldo Leopold's philosophy.
> 4) The next dean of agriculture at Iowa State should have the guts to
> stand
> up for a healthy economy for farmers and a healthy land for all of Iowans.
> This is what Fred stood for.
>
> Dr. Kirschenmann has worked tirelessly and with great dedication to the
> mission of the Center. He has not only brought hope and opportunity to
> farmers in the Midwest, but his vision and skills have also reached into
> all
> corners of the country where people who deeply love the land and their
> communities have seen new ways forward that promise to reverse the
> environmental degradation and economic decline that they face today.
>
> By removing Dr. Kirschenmann from this position, Iowa State University is
> allowing outside business interests to effectively control the agenda of a
> prominent American university, thereby further eroding the once unique
> independent status of academic institutions in American life. It is
> particularly troubling that this should occur at a Center established to
> honor the insights and teachings of Aldo Leopold.
>
> Letters can be sent to:
>
> Benjamin J. Allen
> Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
> Iowa State University
> Office of the Provost, 1550 Beardshear Hall,
> Ames, Iowa 50011-2021
> Phone 515-294-9591, [log in to unmask]
>
> Gregory L. Geoffroy
> President, Iowa State University
> 1750 Beardshear Hall
> Ames, Iowa 50011
> (515) 294-2042
> [log in to unmask]
>
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