Position Title: Endowed Chair in Agricultural Systems
Requisition Number: 181149
Department: Agronomy/Plant Genetics (409A)

The University of Minnesota proudly announces the ninth recruitment for the School of Agriculture Endowed Chair in Agricultural Systems. The innovative Chair, which is supported by a $1.9 million endowment, embodies a dynamic, interactive, multi-disciplinary approach to agricultural issues. From its location in one of the most prestigious colleges in the country, the Chair represents a strategic opportunity to explore and influence the future of Minnesota agriculture at a time when it must increasingly respond to both global markets and local opportunities. Many important questions need attention. What market forces are affecting rural Minnesota? How can local and global perspectives be addressed simultaneously? These questions form a dynamic background for a wide range of opportunities for the Chair's activities.

Duties: The Chair is designed to play the role of catalyst for innovation and progress on agricultural issues within the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and throughout the State of Minnesota. Duties may include engaging citizens of the State in a dialogue on agricultural issues; helping facilitate interaction among industry, government, academic institutions, non-profits, and farmers; and conducting seminars and guest lectures, research, writing, or other scholarly activities on those issues.

Focus: The focus of the Chair will be on the role of agriculture in developing sustainable communities, landscapes, and food systems. Topics may include, but are not limited to: changing demographics in rural areas; local foods and farmer's markets; urban agriculture; season extension; biomass energy and biobased products; issues revolving around climate change; or environmental impacts of farming systems. The position provides great latitude for candidates to define their particular activities within this context, but it is intended to address:

• The long-term societal value of rural communities and healthy agricultural landscapes
• Identification of current and potential relationships between agriculture and rural communities, landscapes, and food systems
• Models for sustainable agricultural systems at the local level in an international context

Qualifications: Candidates must have:

• A record of significant experience and demonstrated leadership in agriculture, rural development, or related fields; excellent communication skills; and a broad systems perspective of agriculture and rural development.
• A demonstrated interest in the issues confronting agriculture and an expressed vision for the future of communities are also desired.
• Consideration will also be given to appointment of project teams to fill the Chair. Candidates from the academic, agribusiness, farming, government, and non-profit sectors are encouraged to apply. There are no formal degree requirements for the position.

Terms: The position will be a Senior Fellow position (classification #9751) within the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences with a flexible appointment of a few weeks or up to a year in duration. Appointed individuals will be housed in the appropriate academic department. Salary and courtesy faculty rank (if applicable) are commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position may be used to match sabbatical opportunities from home institutions and organizations.

Application: For the appointment, to begin in Winter, Spring or Summer 2013, applications should be received by Thursday, November 15, 2012. The search is generic in nature; thus, applications will be accepted any time and all applications will be kept on file and referenced as specific topics are identified for the Chair program. The position will be re-announced as funding availability and chair vacancies occur.

Apply online at https://employment.umn.edu using requisition number 181149

Applicants and inquiries should be directed to:
Helene Murray, Chair, Search Committee
University of Minnesota
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
411 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108-1013
Phone: (612) 625-8235 or 1-800-909-MISA (6472)
Fax: (612) 625-1268
E-mail: misamail@umn.edu

Sustainable agriculture strives for a balance between a healthy environment, profitability for farmers, and thriving rural communities for generations to come. A listing of previous chair holders may be found at www.misa.umn.edu; click on "Endowed Chair" on the right-hand sidebar.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.