Task force leadership
The following people served on the original task force that shaped the Agriculture of the Middle project:
Convening chair:
Fred Kirschenmann, philosopher
Iowa State University
515-294-5588
Administrative chair:
Steve Stevenson, sociologist
Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison
608-262-5202
Research coordinator:
Fred Buttel, sociologist
Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison
608-262-7156
Regional Representatives
North Eastern Region:
Tom Lyson, sociologist
Cornell University
Rick Welsh, sociologist
Clarkson University
Stewart Smith, economist
University of Maine
Adrian Wadsworth
Maine dairy and vegetable farmer
North Central Region:
Mike Hamm, nutritionist
Michigan State University
Mary Hendrickson, sociologist
University of Missouri
Bill Heffernan (alternate), sociologist
University of Missouri
Keith Mudd
Missouri grain farmer
Southern region:
Steve Washburn, dairy scientist
North Carolina State University
Scott Marlow
Rural Advancement Foundation International
Stephan Walker
Arkansas diversified farmer
Western Region:
Chris Feise, economist
Washington State University
Gail Feenstra, community nutritionist
University of California-Davis
Sean Swezey (alternate), horticulturalist
University of California-Davis
Bob Quinn
Montana organic grain farmer
Special expertise reps.
SARE/USDA liaison:
Larry Yee
USDA, CSREES
Agricultural policy:
Chuck Hassebrook
Center for Rural Affairs
Ferd Hoefner
Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Food distribution:
Theresa Marquez
Organic Valley
Eileen Brady
Ecotrust
Cooperatives:
Tom Gray
USDA, Rural Business and Cooperative Development