Rick Foster, Ph.D., Professor, W.K. Kellogg Chair in Food, Society and Sustainability, Michigan State University
Rick Foster is a tenured professor in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and holds an Endowed Chair in Food, Society and Sustainability at Michigan State University. Dr. Foster joined the faculty of Michigan State University in January, 2010 after 15 years as Vice President for Programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan. Dr. Foster’s interests lie in helping to bring integrative sustainability solutions to long-term problems impacting the social, economic, and environmental systems affecting Michigan communities. Dr. Foster focuses on the contribution collaborative models around food, water, and alternative energy systems have on future development scenarios for the future of Michigan and the nation.
Dr. Foster received his Bachelor of Science (1972), Master of Science (1974) and Ph.D. (1978) in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University in Ames. Previously, he taught at Iowa State University (1976-78), the University of Idaho (1978-83), and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln (1983-92). He also was a Group VIII Kellogg National Fellow from 1987 to 1990, and a Thornton F. Bradshaw Fellow at the Claremont Graduate School in 1990. Dr. Foster worked at the Kellogg Foundation from 1992-2009 as a Program Officer (2 years) and as a Vice President for Programs (15 years) in the areas of Food Systems, Rural Development, Environmental Programs, and Leadership. Dr. Foster was instrumental in establishing the School of Agriculture for the Humid Tropics (EARTH University) in Costa Rica (1987-91), and the National Center for Food Protection and International Food Protection Training Institute in Battle Creek, Michigan (2008-2010).
Dr. Foster has received many awards and honors, including the E.B. Knight Award from the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture for outstanding scholarly publication. He received a Distinguished Teaching Award, Distinguished Advising Award, and the Outstanding Young Professor Award at the University of Nebraska; the Outstanding Student Advisor at the University of Idaho; and received the Justin Morrill Award of Distinguished Service from the National Association of State and Land-Grant Universities. He has received distinguished service recognition from the National FFA Organization, the Iowa State University Alumni Association, the National Board on Agriculture, Iowa State University College of Education, and the Michigan State University. He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree by the University of Maryland – Eastern Shore (2002) and the Spirit of Leadership Award (2005). He served as Commencement Speaker at the 2009 Graduation ceremonies at EARTH University in Costa Rica.
He serves on several national boards and councils, including that of the World Agricultural Forum, the National Food Security Advisory Council, the Rural Funders Working Group, the New Economy Initiative Governing Board and Executive Committee, the National Rural Funders Collaborative, the National Center for Food Protection, and the International Food Protection Training Institute in Battle Creek, Michigan.