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Farms and cities

Henry A. Wallace ('10), one of Iowa's most influential citizens, was editor of Wallace's Farmer, founder of Hi-Bred Corn Co. (now Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.), U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Commerce and U.S. vice president from 1941 to 1945. Throughout his life, Wallace advocated using science and public policy to conserve farmland and natural resources and alleviate hunger.

To honor Wallace's legacy, Iowa State established the Henry A. Wallace Endowed Chair for Sustainable Agriculture with a $1 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a $500,000 gift from the Wallace Genetic Foundation, and support from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and College of Agriculture.

This year, Lorna Michael Butler was named the first Wallace Chair. The former Washington State University professor's background is in agricultural anthropology, rural sociology and international development. Among other things, Butler will address rural-urban relationships among groups with a stake in food and agriculture systems.

"Many Iowans have a sincere interest in the future of agriculture and the way it will look for generations to come," she said. "I see my role as a facilitator to help strengthen public support for a broader, more people-oriented vision of agriculture."