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] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]