Curtiss Classroom Dedication Honors Harold and Rachel Crawford (Source: CALS News Release 10-21-2011)

A dedication for the Harold and Rachel Crawford Agricultural Teacher Education Complex at Iowa State University was held Friday, October 21, 2011. The complex offers state-of-the art equipment for students and office facilities for graduate students. Donors provided more than $110,000 for the renovations. Harold Crawford, agricultural education and studies professor, received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 1950 and began teaching high school vocational agriculture in Iowa. He received both his master’s in 1965 and doctorate in 1969 in agricultural education at Iowa State. After 15 years of teaching, he came to Iowa State in 1965 as an agricultural education instructor, became a professor and then served as department head. He also served as associate dean and director of international agricultural programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State. The idea to dedicate space to honor Crawford began four years ago. Robert Martin, Iowa State agricultural education and studies professor, presented Crawford with a certificate stating that a classroom area would be named in his honor. “The idea to expand the gift came from Crawford’s three sons,” Martin said. “We soon had support for the renovations from several donors.” After 57 years, Crawford is still passionate about teaching. He’s received numerous awards for his teaching skills including the outstanding international service award, alumni medal for distinguished service to Iowa State and the lifetime achievement award from the Regional, State and National Association of Agricultural Educators. He also received the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award. Full text of Dr. Crawford's comments (pdf).

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alums Honored (Source: CALS News Release 10-21-2011)

Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences presented awards at the annual Alumni Association Honors and Awards Ceremony on October 21, 2011.

Jim Frevert, who retired from Hertz Farm Management Inc. in Nevada, Iowa in 2003, received the Floyd Andre Award that recognizes alums who have made outstanding contributions to production agriculture, agricultural business or who have significantly influenced Iowa agriculture. Frevert joined Hertz Farm Management Inc. in 1964 after receiving his bachelor’s degree in farm operations in 1960 from Iowa State. He helped build the business’ reputation as a personalized, hands-on service with dedicated professionals. He served as president from 1988 to 2000.

Harold Crawford, Iowa State agricultural education and studies professor, received the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award. The award was established to honor Iowa State alumni and friends for outstanding achievements in the agricultural, food, environmental, social and life sciences. Crawford received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 1950 and began teaching high school vocational agriculture in Iowa. He then received his master’s in 1965 and doctorate in 1969, both in agricultural education at Iowa State. After 15 years of teaching, he came to Iowa State in 1965 as an agricultural education instructor, became a professor and then served as department head. He also served as associate dean and director of international agricultural programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He coordinated grant proposals that totaled more than $21 million for partnership projects. He was instrumental in establishing a Partnership Educational Center in Costa Rica and the Brenton Center for Agricultural Instruction and Technology at Iowa State.

A Century of Agricultural Education at Iowa State University

The department is sponsoring a series of programs celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Agricultural Education program at Iowa State University. Over 100 alumni and friends of Agricultural Education attended a special program and reception on April 16, 2011. A celebratory event was held on June 30, 2011 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa, in conjunction with the State Annual Agricultural Education conference which brought together over 230 agriculture teachers and friends of Agricultural Education from all over Iowa. A tailgate party was held during Homecoming Weekend, October 22nd. The final event will be a departmental seminar and reception to be held in November.