Michael Duffy, professor of agricultural economics at Iowa State University, has been appointed as the half-time associate director for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
Duffy's three-year appointment began September 1, and in his new role at the Center he will be responsible for overseeing the Center's research initiatives on organic crop production and hooped hog structures. In addition, Duffy will conduct his own research program focusing on various aspects of the economics of sustainable agriculture, an area in which the Center has an ongoing interest. He will fill in for the director in his absence and will represent the Center in various capacities, on and off campus.
Duffy was previously affiliated with the Center for several years and has been involved in research on a number of the Center's competitive grants. He was asked to return to the Center staff by Fred Kirschenmann, the Center's new director.
In commenting about Duffy's appointment, Kirschenmann said he was pleased. "Sustainable agriculture, if anything, has to be economically viable, so having an economist on staff is essential," he said. "Having an economist like Michael, who looks at economic performance from a whole systems perspective, is critical. In addition, Michael relates easily with farmers, another skill that is vital. Ultimately, if we are going to change agriculture, it has to be changed on the farm by farmers."
Duffy also said he was happy to be back at the Center. "I enjoyed working with Dennis (Keeney) and I am looking forward to working with Fred. Entering a new century with a new director is really exciting. There is so much that can be done, but we have to have imagination and the will to look at things differently. Everything changes, or it dies; this is no different for the Leopold Center, U.S. agriculture, or us as individuals."
Duffy will continue to serve in the ISU economics department and work with ISU Extension farm management specialists. He is also professor-in-charge of the ISU Beginning Farmer Center, and conducts the yearly Iowa land values poll.