The National Academies of Sciences panel focused on enhancing coordination between institutions

FRANKFORT (Jan. 4, 2022) – The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has named Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles to a national blue ribbon panel to promote and enhance land grant universities and colleges.

“I’m honored to be named to this prestigious panel to promote coordination between our land grant colleges and universities,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Kentucky is fortunate to have two land grant institutions, the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University, a member of the historically black college and university network. I look forward to contributing to this national panel.”

Land Grant Universities and Colleges have historically played important roles in research, education, and the distribution of information and practices to support America’s highly productive agriculture community.The blue ribbon panel will explore how enhanced coordination, collaboration, and integration within the Land Grant system can increase the impact of research, education, and extension on the success of United States agriculture as it addresses new competitive challenges, pressures on environmental systems, and demands from consumers. With input from a stakeholder workshop, the panel will produce a report describing a framework for catalyzing successful outcomes through effective coordination and collaboration.

“Commissioner Quarles is a long-standing partner of Kentucky’s two land-grant universities, and his leadership representing Kentucky and the South will be an extraordinary asset to the work of the National Academies’ blue ribbon panel,” said Dr. Nancy Cox, Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “The strong legacy of partnership between UK and Kentucky State University has been an essential part of our shared work for the commonwealth. This is the original, visionary purpose of the land-grant system — to serve the state and its people. We look forward to engaging in the process, gaining new insight and opportunities that come from this important work, so that we can better serve counties and communities across Kentucky.”

“Kentucky State University is thrilled that Commissioner Quarles has been selected to serve on the Academy of Sciences blue ribbon panel about land grant universities,” Dr. Kirk Pomper, Director of Land Grant Programs and Dean of KSU’s College of Agriculture, Community and the Sciences. “KSU greatly values the relationship between the university and the Commissioner and we look forward to supporting him in his efforts on the panel. This is an important project that will support Kentucky’s small scale farms, minority farmers, and entrepreneurs in the commonwealth. There could not be a better choice to represent the commonwealth.”

Quarles graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2006 with three undergraduate majors and two graduate degrees. In 2008, he graduated with a Master’s degree in higher education from Harvard University. He received his law degree from the University of Kentucky in 2010 and a doctorate in higher education from Vanderbilt University in 2018.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit organization of the country’s leading researchers. The NAS recognizes and promotes outstanding science through election to membership; publication in its journal, PNAS; and its awards, programs, and special activities. Through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the NAS provides objective, science-based advice on critical issues affecting the nation.

For more information from the National Academy of Sciences, click here.