Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Director Q & A: Reflections before he begins another journey

Back to Leopold Letter Spring 2010

By JERRY DEWITT, Leopold Center director

Over the last 37 years as an adopted “Iowa native” pursuing my ISU Extension work in Entomology and later as Director for the Leopold Center, I have driven literally thousands of miles across all of Iowa into every county and have left my footprints on many farms.

It has been my goal to visit 25 farms each year to walk the ground and allow the serenity of the land and its people to fill me. I have taken much with me as I left each farm and my life has changed. I have touched the soil, been inspired by the fabric of the landscape and have been nourished by the richness of the deep roots of Iowa agriculture and its people. Each farm, each family has given me the gifts of knowledge, appreciation and friendship. To me, each farm family has been like a neighbor and their home place and landscape have left an indelible impression on me. And I am grateful.

But, all of us with rural roots know that over time our neighbors change, farms evolve, and new visions and opportunities come to the land and our neighbors. I have seen this on my own family farm in Illinois. Things change. And this is all normal, good and healthy.

And now I start one more journey. I, too, want to be a neighbor again and I start that part of my life in the coming weeks. I will retire from Iowa State University and as Director of the Leopold Center at the end of June. My new steps in life will put me back in touch with the land and its potential. I will grow as will the plants I intend to cultivate in my new greenhouse. The soil will nurture us both.

I will miss much from this office and its mission. I will miss the people of Iowa. I will miss the excitement of creating a potential new page in the story of Iowa agriculture.

We at the Leopold Center have a passionate history of helping create positive change for our Iowa neighbors, their land and dreams for almost 23 years. This will not change with my departure.

Thank you for your voices and encouragement extended to me as Director these past five years. You have changed my life and I am grateful.

 

Back to Leopold Letter Spring 2010