Synopses & Reviews
In a world facing chronic and increasing shortages in food crops and natural resources, visionary leadership in agriculture becomes more and more critical for building and maintaining a sustainable future. It is of paramount importance that the dynamic and challenging evolution in agriculture over the last century and a half be met today with imaginative leadership in virtually all aspects of activities and organizations involved.
Leadership in Agriculture: Case Studies for a New Generation focuses on key characteristics and elements of leadership. Using case studies from research, industry, education, administration, and extension services, the authors present real-world circumstances ranging from natural disasters to major restructuring that demanded problem solving, new initiatives, consensus, and organizational commitment. Drawing on their own experiences and covering topics as diverse as closing facilities, mounting a national research initiative, reinventing a major corporation, and dealing with invasive termites, the studies contain examples of both good and bad outcomes and tie back to the stated leadership principles and qualities.
Review
andquot;The information is excellent. If a way can be found to have the book serve as a wake-up call to educators that leadership can be developed and it should be part of college and university programs, it may be more than useful; it could be revolutionary.andquot;andmdash;Stanley P. Wilson, former Vice-President for Agriculture, Home Economics and Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University
Review
andldquo;As a federal professional in the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for over 34 years, I appreciate the need for resources that assist in the development of managers with leadership qualities to take agriculture and all its components to the next level. With growing populations, climate changes, competing challenges of disease and hunger, etc. We need leaders with the qualities classified in this book.andrdquo;andmdash;John P. Cherry, research collaborator, ARS Eastern Regional Research Center
Review
andldquo;As a professional market researcher in academic, government, and industry sectors, I consider Leadership in Agriculture: Case Studies for a New Generation to be one of the top textbooks on leadership in research.andnbsp; Its contents will be understood and adopted by many disciplines. It fully represents the attributes of creativity, leadership, and communication.andrdquo;andmdash;Clarence F. Davan Jr., President and CEO, Davan Consulting International Inc., and founder, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association
Review
andquot;In my studies on leadership, those authors with the most to offer are the ones who have the experiences and share their testimonies. I find veterans, like you, to be more relevant, reliable, and valid when contemplating everyday situations and long-term vision. I appreciate how you use case studies to draw on your extensive experiences as this provides application for the reader that is most helpful. As leaders, your credentials are impeccable and I am pleased you use them to your collective advantage throughout the book.andquot;andmdash;Keith Barber, Vice Chancellor, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
About the Author
JOHN PATRICK JORDAN is the former administrator of the USDA Cooperative State Research Service in Washington, DC. He previously headed the Colorado Experiment Station and the Colorado Cooperative Extension Service and also directed the USDA Agricultural Research Service Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans.
GALE A. BUCHANAN is the former dean of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and former director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. A past chair of the Board on Agriculture Assembly of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, he also served as the USDA Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics.
NEVILLE CLARKE served as an associate dean and professor in the Texas AandM University College of Veterinary Medicine and as director of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. He is the founding director of the Texas AandM Institute for Countermeasures against Agricultural Bioterrorism and currently works as a special assistant for program development for the Texas AandM University System.
KELLY C. JORDAN, a retired Army officer, is a professor who served on the faculties of five institutions, including the US Military Academy at West Point and the University of Notre Dame. A former Commandant of Cadets at Culver Military Academy, he is currently the Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Holy Cross College.
and#160;
Table of Contents
Preface vii
Acknowledgments xiii
Leadership in the Agricultural Environment 1
Character: The Bedrock of Leaders and Leadership 13
Case Studiesandmdash;How Leadership Can Make a Difference 37
1. Facing Down Nature: How a Regional Lab Survived Hurricane Katrina (Addressing Physical Crises) 38
2. Exerting Ag Leadership in Distributed Geographic Locations (Coordinating Dispersed Units within One Organization) 49
3. Closing and Relocating Facilities and Terminating Programs (Leadership Challenges with Organizational Restructuring) 59
4. National Research Initiative: Creating a Shared Leadership Vision (Bringing about a New Solution) 73
5. Battling Formosan Subterranean Termites (Forging a New Approach) 81
6. Gathering of the Agricultural Clan (Bringing Leaders Together without Central Authority) 90
7. Monsanto: How One Company Saw the Future and Transformed to Seize It (Leadershipandrsquo;s Role in a Significant Change) 96
8. Enhancing Leadership in the State Agricultural Experiment Stations (Cultivating New Leadership) 123
9. Development of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) (Enhancing a Better Understanding of Agricultural Science and Technology) 133
Lessons Learned from Case Studies 145
Making Leadership Work for You 152
Appendixes: How Does the Scientific Agricultural System Work? 161
Appendix A. The Land-Grant System: A Key to Americaandrsquo;s Dream? How Does It Function? 161
Appendix B. The USDAandrsquo;s Agricultural Research Service: Focus on National and International Issues 165
Appendix C. The Industrial Approach to Research: Diverse Foci Linked to Industrial Economic Effects 167
Notes 171
Bibliography 173
About the Authors 177
Index 179
For more information, please visit www.leadershipinagriculture.com.