Author to articulate about agriculture April 15

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AMES, Iowa -- Nationally known farmer, writer, conservationist and philosopher Wendell Berry promises to tackle a host of contemporary agriculture issues as he delivers the 2007 Shivvers Memorial Lecture on Sunday, April 15, at Iowa State University’s Memorial Union.

Berry’s rare public appearance is sponsored by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture as part of its 20th anniversary observance. Berry’s daughter, Mary Berry Smith, will join him for this lively session.

The 7 p.m. event will feature a discussion moderated by Laura Jackson, Leopold Center board member and University of Northern Iowa biology professor, joined by two well-known Iowa organic farmers, Francis Thicke, Fairfield grass-based dairyman; and Laura Krouse of Mount Vernon, who grows organic seed corn and vegetables for a community supported agriculture enterprise and teaches biology at Cornell College.

"Wendell is one of the great literary treasures of our time," said Leopold Center Distinguished Fellow Fred Kirschenmann, who helped arrange Berry's ISU appearance. "His practical wisdom shared through his poetry, essays and novels has withstood the test of time. We are deeply honored that he and his daughter Mary have agreed to come and help us celebrate our 20th anniversary at the Leopold Center."

Both Berry and his daughter farm in Harris County, Kentucky where their forebears farmed for five generations. Berry is a prolific poet, essayist and novelist and has taught English at New York University and the University of Kentucky. Central themes for his work include responsiveness to one’s place, sustainable agriculture, appropriate technologies, healthy rural communities, reverence and the interconnectedness of life.

Berry is especially well known for his essays and provocative writings about agriculture and food. He has called eating "an agricultural act" and minces few words about the current direction of agriculture.

The annual Shivvers Memorial Lecture in memory of John Shivvers, who farmed near Knoxville, is cosponsored by Gamma Sigma Delta Honorary Society for Agriculture and the ISU Committee on Lectures. 

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The Leopold Center was established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act as a research and education center at Iowa State University to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. Iowa State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

This page was found at http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/02-27-2007/author-articulate-about-agriculture-april-15 on 01/21/2013