Fred Kirschenmann, Ph.D.
Frederick L. Kirschenmann, a professor, executive, manager, philosopher, writer, and farmer, will lecture from 2:30-4 p.m. March 11, 2011 in Gustavus’s F.W. Olin Hall, room 103 on the topic of “Food Security in a Changing World: Expanding the Vision of Sustainable Agriculture.”
Kirschenmann holds a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Chicago and is also author of the book Cultivating an Ecological Conscience: Essays from a Farmer Philosopher (2010), as well as other publications.
He is involved with a variety of organizations, including presiding over his family’s 3,500-acre certified organic beef farm in North Dakota and holding an appointment as Distinguished Fellow for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, where he is also a professor in the ISU Department of Religion and Philosophy.
Plus, he serves on the boards of the Food Alliance, Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, and the Nature Institute and is involved in many additional organizations focusing on conservation and sustainability issues.
Kirschenmann has numerous awards and accolades, including serving an appointment on the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board and the National Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production. In addition, he is the President of Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, New York—an organization working to “increase public awareness of healthy, seasonal, and sustainable food.”
Professor of Philosophy Lisa Heldke states, “As a philosopher, I’m totally intrigued by the path his career has taken; it’s not that common for someone with a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Chicago to become a worldwide expert on agricultural sustainability issues. Kirschenmann is, to me, an inspirational example of what it means to do philosophy in the real world.”
Food has been a much-discussed topic on the Gustavus campus this year as it is the theme of Gustavus Global Insight for 2010-2011. Kirschenmann’s talk will connect with conversations currently being held on campus on several levels.
Previous related events that sparked awareness and provided education and discussion on the topic were Nobel Conference 46: Making Food Good in October 2010 and the February 2011 Good Food For All event. Add to that ongoing discussions about sustainability, local foods, and justice occurring in Gustavus’s Dining Services, Environmental Studies, Johnson Center for Environmental Sustainability, and classes on food security and sustainability.
Kirschenmann’s visit to campus is sponsored by the Sponberg Chair in Ethics. For more information, contact Lisa Heldke at heldke@gustavus.edu or 507-933-7029.
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510