Leadership in agriculture : case studies for a new generation John P. Jordan, Gale A. Buchanan, Neville P. Clarke & Kelly C. Jordan

In a world facing chronic and increasing shortages in food crops and natural resources, visionary leadership in agriculture becomes more and more critical for building and maintaining a sustainable future. It is of paramount importance that the dynamic and challenging evolution in agriculture over the last century and a half be met today with imaginative leadership in virtually all aspects of activities and organizations involved. Leadership in Agriculture: Case Studies for a New Generation focuses on key characteristics and elements of leadership. Using case studies from research, industry, education, administration, and extension services, the authors present real-world circumstances ranging from natural disasters to major restructuring that demanded problem solving, new initiatives, consensus, and organizational commitment. Drawing on their own experiences and covering topics as diverse as closing facilities, mounting a national research initiative, reinventing a major corporation, and dealing with invasive termites, the studies contain examples of both good and bad outcomes and tie back to the stated leadership principles and qualities. TABLE OF CONTENTS:Preface viiAcknowledgments xiiiLeadership in the Agricultural Environment 1Character: The Bedrock of Leaders and Leadership 13Case Studies-How Leadership Can Make a Difference 371. Facing Down Nature: How a Regional Lab Survived Hurricane Katrina (Addressing Physical Crises) 382. Exerting Ag Leadership in Distributed Geographic Locations (Coordinating Dispersed Units within One Organization) 493. Closing and Relocating Facilities and Terminating Programs (Leadership Challenges with Organizational Restructuring) 594. National Research Initiative: Creating a Shared Leadership Vision (Bringing about a New Solution) 735. Battling Formosan Subterranean Termites (Forging a New Approach) 816