Food, Agriculture and the Land- Grant College in a Changing World Robert A. Easter, Ph.D. Professor of Swine Nutrition Dean, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign June 16, 2004

Jonathan Baldwin Turners Great Vision We need a University for the Industrial classes in each state, with their consequent subordinate institutes, lyceums and high schools in each of the counties and towns The objective of these institutes should be to apply existing knowledge directly and efficiently to all practical pursuits and professions in life and to extent the boundaries of our present knowledge in all possible practical directions Farmers Convention, Granville, Illinois Nov. 18, 1851.

The Agricultural College is a Unique American Success Story Application of science to the solution of real-world problems.Application of science to the solution of real-world problems. Supported by taxpayers.Supported by taxpayers. Effective integration of research, education and extension.Effective integration of research, education and extension.

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois ACES

The World of ACES Food, Fiber and Fuel Agriculture Urban and AmenityAgriculture Individuals, Families and Communities

Undergraduates Curricula Curricula Fall 2004 Fall 2004 Agricultural and Consumer Economics545 Agricultural and Biological Engineering128 Animal Sciences468 Crop Sciences81 Food Science and Human Nutrition333 Human and Community Development323 Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences286 Total2164

ACES Enrollment by County, Cook % DuPage % Lake 167 7% Champaign 153 7% Will 85 4% McLean61 3% Sangamon 41 2% Kane 37 2% Peoria37 2% McHenry 35 2%

Graduate Enrollment Curricula Curricula Fall 2004 Agricultural and Consumer Economics 85 Agricultural and Biological Engineering 46 Animal Sciences 103 Crop Sciences 64 Food Science and Human Nutrition 58 Human and Community Development 33 Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences 139 Total528

Research

Research Science Watch, a publication of the Philadelphia-based Institute for Scientific Information, ranks the U of I fifth in the nation for its impact on agricultural science.Science Watch, a publication of the Philadelphia-based Institute for Scientific Information, ranks the U of I fifth in the nation for its impact on agricultural science.

U of I Extension

Times are changing …and nowhere is that more evident than in agriculture…

Consumer Expectations Commodity FoodCommodity Food –Abundant –Cheap –Safe –Easily prepared

Consumer Expectations Attribute FoodAttribute Food –Organic –Not GMO –No antibiotics –Welfare friendly –Health traits

Defining Issues- Sustainability Wastes Products Crops and Soils Utilization

Corn Soybeans Consumers Corn/Soybeans Pork Production Pork and Poultry Producers

Defining Issues Urbanization Urbanization How to move incredible masses of foodstuffs from production center to consumers

Global Food Supply Chains Systems designed to move massive amounts of food from production centers to world population centers with great economic efficiencySystems designed to move massive amounts of food from production centers to world population centers with great economic efficiency

Smithfield Foods Process 27 million hogs per yearProcess 27 million hogs per year Produce 15 million hogs per yearProduce 15 million hogs per year Internationally 1Internationally 1 –Process 1.5 million hogs per year –Produce 900,000 hogs per year 1 Outside the United States, Smithfield owns subsidiaries in France, Poland and the United Kingdom and operates join ventures in Brazil, Mexico and China.

Critical Questions Who is going to produce the fruits of agriculture? What production technologies will be employed? Where will it be done? Who will do the research and education

Food and Agricultural Research and Education There are today, perhaps, 30 centers in the world that are defining the future – Illinois is one on those centers.There are today, perhaps, 30 centers in the world that are defining the future – Illinois is one on those centers. In 15 years that number could be reduced by halfIn 15 years that number could be reduced by half

Universities in the World

Universities in the World: Asia

Universities in the World: Australia

Universities in the World: Africa

Universities in the World: Europe

Universities in the World: South America

Universities in the World: North America

Universities in the World: Midwest USA

Agricultural Colleges at the Crossroad Public support for higher education is weakeningPublic support for higher education is weakening Many states may no longer have the capacity to support a comprehensive Land-Grant UniversityMany states may no longer have the capacity to support a comprehensive Land-Grant University

Agricultural Colleges at the Crossroad The agricultural population is in declineThe agricultural population is in decline With modern communication systems there is little justification for redundant programsWith modern communication systems there is little justification for redundant programs High impact research is complex, integrative and expensiveHigh impact research is complex, integrative and expensive

HOW? Plan strategicallyPlan strategically Embrace a shared passion for global preeminenceEmbrace a shared passion for global preeminence Hire, support and retain the most creative scholars availableHire, support and retain the most creative scholars available Recruit the best students possible and provide them with superb educationRecruit the best students possible and provide them with superb education

Landscape….. an integrating concept It is not about cows, pigs, corn, soybeans OR natural areas, golf courses and wind turbines…. It is about the integrated utilization of a rural or urban landscape to create sustainable economic opportunity for individuals, families and communities