The search began about a year ago to find a new director for the Leopold Center of Sustainable Agriculture, and now the wait is almost over.

The center has been looking for a director since last March when former director Dennis Keeney announced his retirement. Keeney retired Dec. 31 after holding the position for 11 years.

Six people have been chosen as final candidates and will be speaking at open forums at Iowa State during January and February.

“What we saw in each of the six finalists was a strong commitment to the program and a vision for sustainable agriculture,” said Wendy Wintersteen, director of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension.

The open forums will be in the Brenton Center in Room 9 of Curtiss Hall from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The six finalists and the dates for their forums are as follows:

* William F. Wilcke, professor, biosystems and agricultural engineering department, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Jan. 11.

* Ann Sorenson, assistant vice president for research, American Farmland Trust, DeKalb, Ill.; Jan 20.

* Charles Francis, professor of agronomy, director of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.; Jan. 25.

* Fred Kirschemann, president, Farm Verified Organic, Inc., Windsor, N.D.; Feb. 1.

* Miguel Altieri, associate professor and associate entomologist, Center for Biological Control, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Calif.; Feb. 3.

* Jean Steiner, research leader and director of the Natural Resource Conservation Center, Agricultural Research Service, Watkinsville, Ga.; Feb. 10.

Wintersteen said the Leopold Center conducts research and holds educational programs to help researchers adopt practices through a variety of programs.

“One of my visions for the center is to reach beyond the borders of Iowa State and pull in other partners,” candidate Francis said. “I think it is important to work closely with nonprofit and environmental groups.”

Candidate Steiner said the center is important to agriculture in many areas.

“I see the Leopold Center serving as a catalyst with links across the state,” Steiner said. “It is in a position to address aspects of the farm but also focus on rural community issues.”

Until the new director is chosen, Allen Trenkle, distinguished professor of animal science, will continue to serve as interim director.