Wordmark for the College of Agriculture at Iowa State University

National Agriculture Week 2001

Contact:
Richard Ross, Agriculture Administration, (515) 294-2518
Brian Meyer, Ag Communications, (515) 294-0706

A COMMITMENT TO IOWA'S RURAL COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES

Editor's Note: Higher resolution images are available. Please contact the Agriculture Communications name listed above.

Richard Ross, dean of the College of Agriculture

 Richard F. Ross

by Richard Ross
Dean of Agriculture, Iowa State University

Last year Iowa State University began a year-long celebration to recognize its role in serving Iowa families.

I was pleased that this coincided with my joining the College of Agriculture family. I served seven years as dean of ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine. When my two-year term as dean of agriculture ends, I'll have good memories of being a member of two academic families on campus.

Iowa's land-grant university is involved with Iowa families every day. The College of Agriculture is one of the state's premier resources for addressing rural and agricultural concerns important to families.

My youthful experiences growing up on a Washington County farm indelibly shaped my future. Today's rural families should have opportunities to succeed that are equal to those of urban families.

The College of Agriculture is working with rural communities to help them provide good places for families to live. The college is working with Iowans to address family matters in health, business, safety, community development, volunteerism, environment and communications. Just a few recent examples include:

  • research to understand how successful community projects get accomplished and passing that information on to other communities.
  • studies to determine the economic and social importance of farmers' markets, and to help Iowans understand how best to take advantage of these assessments.
  • research to help American Indian and African American families develop programs that better address social issues.
  • training Iowa volunteers to help preserve the state's natural resources.
  • studies to protect families against the dangers of carbon monoxide in their homes.
  • a mosquito surveillance program that alerts communities when risks to human disease arise.

Strengthening families to become the best is a worthy goal for Iowa State. We are committed to helping families fulfill their hopes and aspirations.

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