John Lawrence has been reappointed to a second five-year term as associate dean for extension in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director for agriculture and natural resources for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
During his first term, Lawrence promoted university extension and outreach as the science-based authority on water quality issues and was a leader in the collaborative efforts to develop Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy. He also serves as director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center.
“John has shown a great understanding of the mission of extension and the ability to bring together key players to deal with current issues such as water quality,” said Cathann Kress, vice president for Extension and Outreach. “Under his leadership, ISU Extension and Outreach is positioned to extend conservation and water management science and recommended best management practices around volatile nutrient reduction issues.”
Lawrence’s ability to work with government regulatory agencies, diverse agricultural organizations and the agricultural value chain ranging from farmers to business and industry is an asset to Iowa and Iowa State University, said Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “He is to be commended for how well he has steered agriculture and natural resources extension, retaining Iowa State visibility and credibility with diverse audiences,” she said.
Lawrence, as director for Agriculture and Natural Resources, leads the largest ISU Extension and Outreach program area. An Iowa State alumnus, he is recognized by peers and administrators for his ability to represent the interests of agriculture, the college and Extension and Outreach to those within academia and others outside the university system. Lawrence was an Iowa State professor of economics, an extension livestock specialist and director of the Iowa Beef Center prior to his appointment to the position of associate dean and agriculture and natural resources extension director in 2010.