The International Food and Agribusiness Management Association Announces Recipient of Inaugural Distinguished Service Award

ST. LOUIS, May 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors for the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) is proud to announce Dr. William H. Danforth as the recipient of its inaugural Distinguished Service Award. The award will be presented to Danforth during the IFAMA Presidential Awards Banquet on Wed., June 19, at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Ga.

The IFAMA Distinguished Service Award honors an individual whose pioneering contributions have made significant, transformational impacts to the global food and agribusiness system. Specific areas of accomplishment include, but are not limited to: food science and technology, plant and animal science, health and nutrition, resource conservation, economics and finance, and transportation and distribution. In addition, the award recognizes an individual's measurable impacts on the talent sustainability of the industry – in research, leadership or mentorship roles.

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Danforth has spent his entire decades-spanning career influencing fields ranging from education and healthcare to life sciences and philanthropy. While a majority of his career has been spent in the St. Louis region, his efforts have had tremendous global impacts.

The following are just a few of Danforth's many important contributions:

• Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science
  Danforth spearheaded the creation of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, with the mission to "improve the human condition through plant science."  Since 1998 the Danforth Center has grown to be the world's largest independent nonprofit plant science research organization, with 175 scientists working on a variety of projects aimed at crop development and environmental sustainability. Danforth continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Center.
• One of the Longest Serving Chancellors
  During his 24-year tenure as Washington University (St. Louis) Chancellor, Danforth is credited with establishing 70 new faculty professorships, building a billion-dollar endowment fund, tripling the number of student scholarships, spearheading the $630.5 million Alliance for Washington University capital campaign and improving student retention and recruitment of minority students.
• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
  Danforth was appointed to chair the Research, Education and Economics Task Force for the USDA by Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman in 2003. The Task Force reported in 2004. That report led to legislation by Congress that established the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, which began with great hopes for support for high-quality agricultural research. 

"Dr. Danforth's leadership, vision, initiative and commitment to the agriculture industry are truly inspiring," said Mary Shelman, President of IFAMA and Director of the Agribusiness Program at Harvard Business School. "IFAMA is honored to recognize the many contributions that he has made to solving global hunger issues and to making the world a better place for current and future generations."

About Dr. William H. Danforth
http://www.danforthcenter.org/the_center/about_us/our_leadership/william_danforth.asp

About IFAMA
The International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) is a nonprofit organization that unites industry, students, academics, government leaders and other key stakeholders across the value chain of food production and consumption – to improve the global food and agribusiness system in response to the changing needs of the world. Founded in 1990 IFAMA fosters information sharing, knowledge advancement, discussion, debate, networking and career development through members across more than 50 countries. The annual IFAMA World Forum and Symposium is the organization's cornerstone event, where leading experts address the most current and pressing issues in food and agriculture. Visit www.ifama.org to learn more. 

SOURCE International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA)