For those of you who did not have the pleasure to know, or work with, Jim
Bushnell I offer this background.
Until very recently, Jim was the National Program Leader for Sustainable
Agriculture at the Extension Service (ES), and member of the Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Executive Committee. Among his
responsibilities was the planning of sustainable agriculture training under
Chapter 3 of the SARE program for Extension personnel.
Jim's openness and enthusiasm for sustainable agriculture made interagency
cooperation easy. His commitment to the decentralized and participatory
spirit of LISA/SARE was well-known. He originated quarterly teleconferences
to keep colleagues outside DC informed about sustainable agriculture
initiatives. He was a member of the Northeast SARE Administrative Council.
His annual sustainable agriculture tours for "inside the Beltway types"
were well-known for their collegiality, crab feasts, and the
Bushnells' freshly-baked sticky buns.
Jim Bushnell was a progressive, forward-looking and humane. His commitment
to the social and scientific goals of sustainable agriculture makes his loss
particularly painful at this important time.
Go in peace, Jim. You've earned the rest.
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Gabriel A. Hegyes
Sustainable Agriculture Network
ghegyes@nalusda.gov