By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281Source:
E.T York york@ifas.ufl.edu, 352-392-6545
ORLANDO—E.T. York, chancellor emeritus of the State University System in Florida, will receive the 2004 Service to American and World Agriculture Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents at the organization’s annual conference in Orlando, July 10-16.
York, who served as interim president of the University of Florida and UF vice president for agriculture and natural resources, is being recognized for his many contributions to agriculture in the United States and the world. The award will be presented July 15 in Orlando.
York’s service over the past 50 years has strengthened the land-grant university system, and its role in domestic and international agricultural development. He has been recognized as a leader in agriculture for his talents as a scientist, educator and administrator.
In 1964, he organized UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, bringing under one administrative umbrella the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station and Florida Cooperative Extension Service.
In addition to supporting the mission of land-grant universities, York served as an adviser to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan. In that capacity, he traveled widely to provide agricultural assistance in countries throughout Latin America, Asia and Africa. His analysis of the agricultural development challenges faced by the countries of Central America and the Caribbean was a precursor to the Caribbean Basin Initiative.
York continues to focus on alleviating world hunger, particularly on expanding food production to meet rapidly growing needs, making food safer and more accessible, and increasing production efficiency to lower food costs. He has received many national and international honors with seven awards or programs established in his name.
York, who was named a Great Floridian in 1997 by the Florida Museum of Natural History, was honored in January 2003 by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture in Washington, D.C. IICA recognized him for his role in promoting rural prosperity in the Americas.
In December 2003, he received an honorary Doctor of Sciences degree from North Carolina State University. He also has received honorary doctorates from Auburn University, University of Florida and Ohio State University.
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