The College of Agriculture will be adding a new face to its sustainable agriculture program in 2000.

Lorna Michael Butler, extension anthropologist and professor of rural sociology at Washington State University at Puyallup, has been named Iowa State’s first-ever Henry A. Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture.

Wallace, an ISU alumnus, was the vice president of the United States under Franklin Roosevelt and also is associated with Pioneer Hybrid Seed Company and Wallaces Farmer magazine.

“This is a very distinguished chair, and the first chair at Iowa State for sustainable agriculture,” said David Topel, dean of the College of Agriculture.

Butler was chosen because she has extensive experience in national and international work, Topel said. Her background in agricultural anthropology and rural sociology adds a social aspect to the program.

“She has a sincere interest in working directly with farmers and agricultural industries, particularly in relation to rural development in Iowa,” Topel said.

Butler also will be teaching formal classes in agriculture, anthropology and sociology.

But, with ISU’s gain comes Washington State’s loss.

Annabel Cook, department chairwoman for rural sociology at Washington State, said Washington State will miss Butler.

“She has a real deep commitment to sustainable agriculture and citizen participation in the decision-making process,” Cook said.

Every five years, the College of Agriculture puts together a strategic plan to set priorities and goals for the future, Topel said.

One of those goals was to create a better sustainable agriculture program, which led to the creation of the Wallace Chair, she said.

“We started recruiting money five years ago,” Topel said. “We got support two years ago.”

The Wallace Chair was established in 1997 through a $1 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, $500,000 from the Wallace Genetic Foundation and support from the Leopold Center and College of Agriculture.

One of the major donors, Jean Wallace Douglas, is Wallace’s granddaughter.

“Wallace was a real promoter of sustainable agriculture concepts,” Topel said. “This is a nice tribute to him.”