An agriculturalist known for his international work will receive an honorary degree from Iowa State at the spring commencement ceremony.

M. E. “Gene” Ensminger will receive a doctor of humane letters for his work with Iowa State and lifelong achievements in animal science, education and international agriculture.

Honorary degrees are based on recommendations from the faculty and are granted to people who have made an outstanding contribution in their field.

Ensminger, who has joined ISU officials to conduct his international agricultural schools and programs in many different countries, including Russia, the Ukraine and Cuba, said he is “very excited and honored to receive this high honor.”

He said the goal of his International Agri-Tech Schools is “simply to help people and not to have a world that is broken by unshared bread.”

Ensminger has authored or co-authored 21 books on animal production and human nutrition and published more than 500 scientific articles or bulletins.

He said the books have “touched” about 1 billion people because he has “waived royalties” on his books, which are available in many different languages and used all over the world. Ensminger has also lectured in 70 countries.

Dennis Marple, head of the animal science department, said Ensminger is “dedicated to sharing knowledge, and I am honored to be a partner with him [in the International Agri-Tech Schools].”

“I have the highest esteem for the institution and staff at ISU,” Ensminger said. He said he has “enjoyed a very close relationship [ISU]” since about 1990.

Ensminger is now concentrating on giving the opening lecture at the International Agri-Tech School in Kiev, Ukraine, in September.

Ensminger has bachelor of science and master of science degrees from the University of Missouri and a Ph. D. from the University of Minnesota.