This January the CropLife Foundation launched the 2011 Sustainability Tour! Featuring Crop Protection Research Institute Director Leonard Gianessi, the Sustainability Tour is the launch of CLF's newest presentation.

This presentation, entitled Sustainability of Modern Farming in the US: The Importance of Herbicides, traces the role of farming through the history of the United States. Beginning in the 1800s and looking to the future, this presentation demonstrates how farming has evolved over the past two centuries. It shows the recent advances that have enabled the U.S. to develop a system of agriculture that will support a burgeoning population in the next century.

The presentation is currently scheduled at universities, conferences, and company offices across the country and throughout the year. If you're wondering what people are saying about the 2011 Sustainability Tour, be sure to check out our 1st testimonial below!

For more information or to schedule a tour stop at your location, please refer to the flyer and info below or e-mail Ashley Williams.

Want to know more about the 2011 Sustainability Tour? Check out the photos & info from stops below:

April 18, 2011
Growmark and Illinois Farm Bureau
Bloomington, IL

On April 18, Leonard presented a talk on the Global Value of Herbicides at a Lunch and Learn presentation for a combined audience of Growmark and Illinois Farm Bureau staff in Bloomington Illinois. This event was organized by Tamara Nelsen of Illinois Farm Bureau.

Leonard with Growmark's Mark Thornsbrough

Leonard with Tamara Nelsen

The Growmark/Illinois Farm Bureau audience

April 18, 2011
Illinois State University
Bloomington, IL

On the evening of April 18, Leonard presented his Talk on the Global Value of Herbicides for a standing-room audience of more than 200 students at Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois. Leonard's Talk was part of 2011 Science and Technology Week at ISU and was sponsored by the Illinois Soybean Association. Rob Rhykerd, Chair of ISU's Department of Agriculture, organized Leonard's participation in the Event. Leonard particularly enjoyed having dinner with eight students preceding the Talk. All the students were very interested in becoming advocates for agriculture. Dr Rhykerd reported in an email later in the week that, "The college Dean said it was one of the best talks he's ever seen. Students and faculty were talking about it all day yesterday and there were numerous positive comments on Facebook from our students praising Leonard for his talk and the way he fielded the questions." 

Leonard with ISU Agriculture students

Leonard presenting at ISU

The ISU audience

Leonard with Dr. Jeff Wood, Dean of ISU's College of Applied Science and Technology

Leonard with Rob Rhykerd and Assistant Dean, Dr. Lori Woeste

April 11, 2011
Harvard University
Boston, MA

On April 11th, Leonard traveled to Boston, MA to present his Talk on the Importance of Herbicides to students at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. The 'Technology and Sustainability' class consisted of primarily mid-career students. The instructor and Leonard's host was Calestous Juma, Director of the Science, Technology, and Globalization Project at Harvard University. Dr Juma emphasized the escalating interest in agriculture among students at Harvard and MIT and urged Leonard to return in the fall to conduct a similar briefing for a large student audience at the Kennedy School.

Leonard with Harvard students Priti Narasimhan and Suhail Kady. Leonard and Calestous Juma are holding a copy of Dr Juma's recent book, The New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation in Africa

April 8, 2011
National Agricultural Landscapes Forum
Washington, DC

Leonard spoke at the National Agricultural Landscapes Forum in Washington, DC hosted by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, American Farmland Trust and Farm Foundation. The Forum is part of an assessment process, required by Congress under the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act, of how well USDA conservation programs are serving the long-term needs of the nation. Leonard described the important role that herbicides play in delivering ecosystem services such as reducing erosion, conserving water and improving water quality-all due to the replacement of tillage. Leonard urged the further discussion of policies to assure that U.S. growers have the herbicides that they need for the future. 

Leonard with session moderator Varel Bailey and former Texas congressman Charles Stenholm

April 6, 2011
University of Maryland
College Park, MD

On April 6, Leonard presented the Talk on the Importance of Herbicides for Sustainable Agriculture in a lecture for students at the University of Maryland, College Park. The lecture was sponsored by the Block and Bridle Club, whose president, Nathan Glenn (son of CLA's Barb Glenn) introduced Leonard. Also attending was another Glenn - Barb's husband Scott who has been on the faculty at UMD teaching weed science for 31 years.

Leonard and Scott Glenn with UMD students

Leonard with the Glenns - Nathan and Scott

April 5, 2011
George Washington University
Washington, DC

Leonard presented his Talk on Sustainability and the Importance of Herbicides as a guest lecturer for The George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services in the course Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Policies, Politics and Programs. The students are MPH candidates in Environmental Health Science and Policy. CropLife Foundation research assistant Ashley Williams is currently a student in the GWU program and former CropLifer Kristin Rury is completing her thesis.  Leonard fielded about 45 minutes of questions following his presentation. The instructer who hosted the lecture was Dr. Carol Henry, who has had a long career in risk assessment and toxicology. Dr. Henry serves as Chair of the Federal Advisory Committee for the National Childrens Study.

Leonard with Dr. Carol Henry and students at George Washington.

Click to view all the Sustainability Tour stops!
Sustainability Tour - Home

Remember, if you'd like to schedule a stop on the 2011 Sustainability Tour for your offices or event, you can contact us here for more details.

To view the slideshow presented to Butler University students, click below. Sustainability.Butler

Global Value.Illinois State U