June 1998
Sustainable Agriculture Director Steps Down
The director of the UC Davis-based statewide Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) is leaving the program June 30. Bill Liebhardt, who has headed the first sustainable agriculture program established at a U.S. land grant university since its inception in 1987, will step down from his administrative duties and return to extension work in the UCD agronomy and range science department.
"I'm very proud of the work we have done at SAREP and I know that the program's capable and creative staff will continue to coordinate outstanding research and education efforts in sustainability," Liebhardt says. "I'll always appreciate the close relationship I've had with the SAREP staff and our advisory committees. I've enjoyed the opportunity to work in California both inside and outside the university," he adds. "Now, after 16 years as an administrator, I'm looking forward to doing my own research."
He will be working at UC Davis on projects related to sustainability issues in California and the U.S. A search is underway for a new director.Kathy Barsotti, a Yolo County farmer and former member of the SAREP public advisory committee, says Liebhardt helped the program establish itself as one of the leaders in funding sustainable agriculture research in the nation.
"At first SAREP was controversial because the program asked researchers to focus on improved biological systems rather than on more pesticides to solve agricultural problems," Barsotti said. "With Liebhardt at the helm, SAREP has supported both farmer and researcher concerns about staying sustainable-which frequently means juggling reduced inputs with increased management."
Liebhardt, the former director of research at the Rodale Research Center in Pennsylvania, was an associate professor at the University of Delaware and worked as an agronomist for Allied Chemical Co. in the southeastern United States as well as for Standard Fruit Co. in Honduras before coming to Davis.
A soils scientist who was raised on a Wisconsin dairy farm, Liebhardt has focused his research on soil fertility and farming systems comparison and analysis. He is the author of numerous articles on soil fertility and farming systems performance.
Media Contacts:
Lyra Halprin, (530) 752-8664, lhalprin@ucdavis.edu
