Branch research stations fulfill a critical role in the success of agricultural research. The development of these stations requires individuals with unique skill sets in new, innovative technology and a sound knowledge of production agriculture. Branch Research Stations in Agriculture presents a comprehensive examination of the BRS system in the United States, a topic on which there has been little written to date. Author Gale Buchanan provides a historical perspective, describing the development of the foundation of the BRS system as it exists today. Then he explores the system’s function, operation, and future, illustrating the power and relevance of branch research stations to present-day agricultural research. An appreciation and understanding of the BRS system will help ensure a bright future for US agriculture. Offering extensive resources for agricultural researchers, this study provides a thorough consideration of the American system of branch research stations in agriculture.

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. The authors of this book, veteran agricultural educators and administrators, assert the primacy of character in leadership. 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 organisations involved.Leadership in Agriculture: Case Studies for a New Generation opens with narrative chapters focusing on key characteristics and elements of leadership. Next, 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 organisational 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 refer back to the leadership principles and qualities outlined in the opening chapters.

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. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Preface vii Acknowledgments xiii Leadership in the Agricultural Environment 1 Character: The Bedrock of Leaders and Leadership 13 Case Studies—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 (Leadership’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 America’s Dream? How Does It Function? 161 Appendix B. The USDA’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   

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.

The astounding success of agricultural research has enabledfarmers to produce increasingly more—and more kinds—offood throughout the world. But with a projected 9 billion peopleto feed by 2050, veteran researcher Gale Buchanan fears thathuman confidence in this ample supply, especially in the US, hascreated unrealistic expectations for the future. Without a workingknowledge of what types and amounts of research producedthe bounty we enjoy today, we will not be prepared to supportthe research necessary to face the challenges ahead, includingpopulation growth, climate change, and water and energy scarcity.In this book, Buchanan describes the historical commitment toresearch and the phenomenal changes it brought to our ability tofeed ourselves. He also prescribes a path for the future, pointingthe way toward an adequately funded, more creative agriculturalresearch system that involves scientists, administrators, educators,farmers, politicians, and consumers; resides in one “standalone” agency; enjoys a consistent funding stream; and operatesinternationally.

Branch research stations fulfill a critical role in the success of agricultural research. The development of these stations requires individuals with unique skill sets in new, innovative technology and a sound knowledge of production agriculture. Branch Research Stations in Agriculture presents a comprehensive examination of the BRS system in the United States, a topic on which there has been little written to date. Author Gale Buchanan provides a historical perspective, describing the development of the foundation of the BRS system as it exists today. Then he explores the system’s function, operation, and future, illustrating the power and relevance of branch research stations to present-day agricultural research. An appreciation and understanding of the BRS system will help ensure a bright future for US agriculture. Offering extensive resources for agricultural researchers, this study provides a thorough consideration of the American system of branch research stations in agriculture.

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. The authors of this book, veteran agricultural educators and administrators, assert the primacy of character in leadership. 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 organisations involved.Leadership in Agriculture: Case Studies for a New Generation opens with narrative chapters focusing on key characteristics and elements of leadership. Next, 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 organisational 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 refer back to the leadership principles and qualities outlined in the opening chapters.

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. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Preface vii Acknowledgments xiii Leadership in the Agricultural Environment 1 Character: The Bedrock of Leaders and Leadership 13 Case Studies—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 (Leadership’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 America’s Dream? How Does It Function? 161 Appendix B. The USDA’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   

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.

The astounding success of agricultural research has enabledfarmers to produce increasingly more—and more kinds—offood throughout the world. But with a projected 9 billion peopleto feed by 2050, veteran researcher Gale Buchanan fears thathuman confidence in this ample supply, especially in the US, hascreated unrealistic expectations for the future. Without a workingknowledge of what types and amounts of research producedthe bounty we enjoy today, we will not be prepared to supportthe research necessary to face the challenges ahead, includingpopulation growth, climate change, and water and energy scarcity.In this book, Buchanan describes the historical commitment toresearch and the phenomenal changes it brought to our ability tofeed ourselves. He also prescribes a path for the future, pointingthe way toward an adequately funded, more creative agriculturalresearch system that involves scientists, administrators, educators,farmers, politicians, and consumers; resides in one “standalone” agency; enjoys a consistent funding stream; and operatesinternationally.