Ajay Nair will bring an across - the - board ebullience for all aspects of horticulture and global resource system , and more than a tenner of experience as a faculty extremity as he takes the helm of Iowa State University ’s Department of Horticulture next year .

efficient July 1 , 2024 , Nair , professor of gardening in Iowa State ’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences , will become the next department chair . He will continue the impactful employment of Jeff Iles , who has dish in the role since 2001 , make Iles one of the longest - serve up and most established chairman in the college ’s history . Iles will remain alive in the department as a faculty phallus .

“ Ajay is an excellent selection to step into the role as the newest section electric chair . His impressive oeuvre make headway yield and vegetable production technique and knowledge of the department itself will answer him well in his fresh role , ” say Daniel J. Robison , endowed dean ’s chair of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences . “ We are fantastically thankful for Jeff ’s more than 20 years of noteworthy serve leading the department and growing it into the successful programme it is today . I am pleased he is quell on as a faculty fellow member and will carry on share his expertise . ”

As a in the main lengthiness - base faculty penis , Nair has interacted with uncounted growers and residential area members across the State Department , lead on - farm demonstrations at raiser plots , field experimentation at Iowa State facilities and organise various workshops and outreach events . Between those well - attended activities and receiving set and television interview , Nair estimates he has hit more than 270,000 people .

He also serve up as principal research worker of the Sustainable Vegetable yield science lab , which aspire to enhance harvest production , soil wellness and cropping system of rules profitableness for veg output in Iowa . research lab labor have studied the employment of cover crop , high tunnels , ground amendments and integrated cropping systems .

Nair ’s latest project involves guide an innovative agrivoltaics study , look at how well yield and vegetable crops grow under solar panels . The enquiry involves a team of fellow from multiple section and will occur at the new Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University , to the south of Ames .

“ It is an honor to be chosen as the next chair of the Department of Horticulture , ” Nair said . “ These are some self-aggrandising shoes to fill . Dr. Iles has build a strong horticulture department , which is revere around the nation . I look forward to this six - month passage catamenia where I can work out with him closely in preparation to take over chair responsibilities . ”

Iles is spry to head out that advancements in the department that occurred during his tenure are not personal victory but rather mull a departmental civilisation that altruistically values and embraces the best of Iowa State ’s land Duncan James Corrow Grant traditions . From the planning , fundraising and twist of novel greenhouses to the hiring of great faculty , including Dr. Nair , Iles said the focus has always been on keeping the section potent , relevant and free-enterprise .

“ Dr. Nair is particularly well - equipped to be the next leader of this department , ” Iles said . “ His donnish certificate are immaculate , his power to work with and lead people is prove , and his genuine concern for the well - being of conscientious objector - worker , clients and this section is without interrogation . We are in good hands and poised for even good things ahead . ”

In addition to Nair ’s Extension work , he learn several courses related to horticultural harvest production and management . He has also suffice as a major prof or committee member for 48 graduate students at Iowa State .

Outside the university , Nair has been involved with several state and home organizations . He is in the middle of a condition as vice prexy of the American Society for Horticultural Science . He also serves on the Iowa Organic Advisory Council and the Pesticide Advisory Committee for the State of Iowa . He work close with Iowa Specialty Growers Association and Practical Farmers of Iowa .

“ Iowa State ’s horticulture section is proud of its relationship with students , agriculturalist , industry , grower organizations , urban and rural communities , local and Union agencies , early days and the general public , ” Nair said . “ My end is to further raise these link and make a strong gardening program , building off of the study of my predecessors . ”

Nair earned his bachelor ’s degree in agriculture from Kerala Agricultural University . He also holds a master ’s point in gardening from the University of Maine and a doctoral level in gardening from Michigan State University .

Source : cals.iastate.edu