President George W. Bush has appointed Allen C. Christensen to the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development. Christensen is the director of Brigham Young University's Benson Institute, a division of the College of Biology and Agriculture that encourages self-sufficiency among impoverished rural families through research and improvement efforts.
BIFAD advises the United States Agency for International Development on agricultural development priorities and issues and monitors activities undertaken under Title XII ("Famine Prevention and Freedom from Hunger") of the Foreign Assistance Act.
"Dr. Christensen's appointment to this position is a result of his extensive knowledge and experience in international food and agriculture and in prevention of hunger," said Rodney J. Brown, BYU Dean of Biology and Agriculture. "This appointment will allow him to help many who are in most need of help."
Morris D. Whitaker, director of international programs/development at Utah State University and former BIFAD staff member, says Christensen is well qualified for the appointment, citing his previous experience as dean of agriculture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, member and chairman of the Inter-University Consortium for International Development and member of BIFAD's Joint Committee on Agricultural Research and Development.
"Allen will be a great voice to speak out for the needs of agriculture, which have gotten more severe as time has gone on," said Whitaker. "He is a kind person who is known to speak his mind with great wisdom. He will represent BYU and the state very well."
Christensen will serve a two-year term with BIFAD and will be one of seven board members.
