When I was an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, I had no idea how my journey would unfold. I didn’t come from an agricultural background, and I had no idea what a plant breeder was until I started conducting undergraduate research with Dr. John Laughnan, the originator of “Supersweet” corn varieties. That experience hooked me on plant genetics, which has been my scientific passion ever since.

REFLECTIONS: In honor of Prairie Farmer's 175th anniversary, Kim Kidwell, University of Illinois College of ACES dean, joins a series of Illinois ag leaders in looking back on the state's agriculture history.

My interactions with Dr. Laughnan were life-changing. I left Illinois well-prepared to venture onto a career path in genetics. Little did I know that path would lead me to an amazing 22-year career as a wheat breeder and administrator at Washington State University and then bring me home again to serve as dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

When I think about how the College of ACES influences Illinois agriculture, it is clear to me that it all starts with our people. Since 1867, dedicated individuals have been transforming lives by training the next generation of experts in our disciplines and helping them develop the skill set needed to become tomorrow’s agricultural leaders.

Our respected Extension programs are changing lives by delivering research-based expertise to more than 1.5 million Illinois residents and nearly 200,000 Illinois 4-H members each year. Extension is providing practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future

WEALTH: “What we do in the College of ACES matters to people, and Prairie Farmer has served as a powerful means to share our stories to get information to people to help improve the quality of their lives,” says Kim Kidwell, dean of the College of ACES.

Cutting-edge research conducted in the College of ACES is addressing challenging problems and extending the outcomes of that work to improve the quality of lives of people regionally and around the globe. From innovations in plant and animal production to developing safe, nutritious, economical meals for consumers, we are tackling hunger, the most basic of human needs.

Our scientists, educators and students address poverty and food security for populations at risk. Discoveries made in ACES lead to new traits in the world’s most important food crops and animal species. Innovative strategies protect food supplies from pests, diseases and other losses. Scientists also are discovering ways to customize nutritional approaches to meet individual needs. Professors in economic and business disciplines delve deep into the workings of prices, market structures and public policies. Other faculty members investigate how families make decisions about food and how to encourage the development of healthy children.

Sharing the wealth

Simply put, what we do in the College of ACES matters to people, and Prairie Farmer has served as a powerful means to share our stories to get information to people to help improve the quality of their lives. ACES researchers value the reputation and quality of the work published in Prairie Farmer. They trust that your editors will accurately capture the essence of their research, and then distribute findings to people to support them in making the best decisions. I am committed to strengthening our partnership with Prairie Farmer so that our research can continue to provide quality content that truly matters to you, the readers of Prairie Farmer.

I am honored to step into the role of dean at one of the best land-grant institution in the country, and I look forward to co-creating the next era of excellence in the College of ACES with our faculty, staff, students, stakeholders and partners. I know Illinois agriculture depends on us to keep finding answers to the world’s most critical problems, to ensure a vibrant future for the industry. We embrace this challenge by working with you to support and encourage us to address the concerns that matter most to you.  

Kidwell began her tenure as dean of the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Nov. 1. Read more about her in this related story.