David Acker

David Acker

Position
  • Professor
  • Associate Dean for Global Engagement
  • Raymond and Mary Baker Chair in Global Agriculture
  • Director, Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods
Dr. Acker has been involved in international research and education since 1975. He earned a Ph.D. from Oregon State University in 1989, including dissertation research conducted in Tanzania. He has been a Fulbright research fellow, served as a consultant in eight countries, and has served as the president of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education. Dr. Acker has lectured in Austria, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Greece, Guinea, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Uganda, and Ukraine. He currently serves on the board of directors for the American Farm School (Greece) and for the Iowa State University – Uganda Program

Contact Info

111 Curtiss Hall
Ames
,
IA
50011-3150
Email
dacker@iastate.edu
Phone
515-294-3683

Education

  • Ph.D., Oregon State University

More Information

Selected Publications

Nonnecke, G., and D. Acker.  2019.  Global Resource Systems: A Curriculum to Train the Next Generation of Global Leaders. NACTA Journal, Vol 63(1a).

Acker, D., Musoke, H., and Sseguya, H. 2015. Chapter 9, Capitalizing on impacts and the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods’ multiplier effects. Tapping Philanthropy for Development: Lessons Learned from a Public-Private Partnership in Rural Uganda. ISBN 978-1-62637-195-8. Boulder, CO and London: Kumarian Press, pages 223–254.

Butler, L., and Acker, D. 2015. Epilogue: The partnership today and looking toward the future. Tapping Philanthropy for Development: Lessons Learned from a Public-Private Partnership in Rural Uganda. ISBN 978-1-62637-195-8. Boulder, CO and London: Kumarian Press, pages 255–268.

Nagaraj, N., Chandrakanth, M., Acker, D., Kanwar, R., and Hallam, A., 2009. Economic performance of self help groups in Karnataka with special reference to Venkatenahalli in South India. Forthcoming, Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics.

Acker, D., and L. Gasperini, 2009. Education for Rural People: The role of education, training and capacity development in poverty reduction and food security. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Gangadharappa, N.R., Acker, D.G., Chengappa, P.G., Ganesamoorthi, S., Kumar, S., Sajeev, M.V., Shen, D. “Social Capital Status in Two Indian Villages and Implications for Extension,” Journal of Extension Systems, Vol. 24, No. 1, 2008.

Acker, D.G. and L. Gasperini. “Education for rural people: What have we learned?” Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol. 15, No. 1, Spring 2008.

Acker, D.G. and L. Gasperini, 2006. "Launching a New Flagship on Education for Rural People: An Initiative Agricultural and Extension Educators Can Get Behind." In Rural Transformation, H. Bhargava and D. Kumar.

Acker, D.G. "Leadership through service: All the easy jobs have been taken." (Invited keynote address - not peer reviewed). Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, vol. 12, No. 2, Summer 2005.

Acker, D.G. and J.I. Grieshop. "University Curricula in Agricultural and Extension Education: An Analysis of What We Teach and What We Publish." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol. 11, No. 2, Summer 2004.

Whigham, K. and D.G. Acker. "Globalization of Agriculture." South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 20(4), 2003.

Koulaouzides, G.A., E Vergos, D.G. Acker, and J.R. Crunkilton. "Promoting Sustainability in the Balkan Region of South-Eastern Europe through Innovative Curriculum Practices in Agricultural Education." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol. 10, No. 1, Spring 2003.

Acker, D.G. and Lavinia Gasperini. "Launching a New Flagship on Education for Rural People: An Initiative Agricultural and Extension Educators Can Get Behind." Accepted for publication Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol. 10, No. 3, Fall 2003.

Carrasco, E.A., D.G. Acker, and J.I. Grieshop. "Absorbing the Shocks: The Case of Food Security, Extension and the Agricultural Knowledge and Information System in Havana, Cuba." Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension Vol. 9.3, 2003.

Acker, D.G., 2000. "Building a Global Network for Higher Agricultural Education: The Case of the Global Consortium of Higher Education and Research for Agriculture." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol.7, No. 2, Summer 2000.

Pritts, M., Nonnecke, G.R., and D.G. Acker, 1999. "Global Academic Exchange: Does it Hurt or Help?" Advances in Strawberry Research, Vol. 18.

Udin, V.A., and D.G.Acker, 1999. "The Iowa State University/National Agricultural University of Ukraine Linkage Project: A Case Study of Reform of an Institution of Higher Agricultural Education in Ukraine." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol.7, No.1, Spring 2000.

Scanes, C.G., and D.G. Acker, 1999. "The Case for Globalizing Research and Graduate Education at Agricultural Universities." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol.7, No.1, Spring 2000.

Acker, D.G., and S.Z. Taylor, 1999. "Globalization of the Learning Environment: Results of a Baseline Study of Selected Indicators of Globalization at North Central Colleges of Agriculture." National Association of College and Teachers of Agriculture Journal, Vol. 44, No.1, pp.17-22, March 2000.

Acker, D.G., 1999. "Improving the Quality of Higher Education in Agriculture Globally in the 21st Century: Constraints and Opportunities." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 32-38, Summer, 1999. (selected as Outstanding Research Paper at annual meeting of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, March 1999).

Acker, D.G., and W.W. Miller, 1998. "Cooperation Between the National Agricultural University of Ukraine and Iowa State University: An Example Linkage Project." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol.5, No.2, pp. 59-66, Summer, 1998 (selected as Outstanding Research Paper at the annual meeting of the Association for Agricultural and Extension Education, April, 1998).

Acker, D.G., E. L. McBreen, S. Z. Taylor, 1998. "Women in Higher Education in Agriculture with Reference to Selected Countries in East and Southern Africa." Journal of International Agricultural Education and Extension, Vol.5, No.1, pp. 13-22, June, 1998.

Acker, D.G., C.G. Scanes, 1998. "A Case for Globalizing U.S. Colleges of Agriculture." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol.5, No.1, pp. 59 – 62, April, 1998.

Acker, D.G., J.E. Dale, A.R. Ralston, S.W. Schmidt, and M.C. Shelley, 1997. "Iowa Agribusiness International Needs Assessment: Implications for Education." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol.4, No.2, pp. 69 – 76, Summer 1997 (selected as Outstanding Research Paper at annual meeting of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, April, 1997).

Lev, L.S., and D.G. Acker, 1994. "Alternative Approaches to Technology Development and Adoption in Agriculture." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 37 – 44, Spring 1994.

Culler, C.J., D.G. Acker, and R.A. Bates, 1993. "Managing Sustainable Institutional Development: The Case of the Malawi Agricultural Research and Extension Project." International Journal of Vocational Education and Training, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 5-14, Spring 1993.