UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society has chosen Penn State faculty member Carolyn Sachs to receive its 2015 Richard P. Haynes Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in Agriculture, Food and Human Values Award.
Sachs, professor of rural sociology and women's studies and head of the Women's Studies Department, will receive the award at the society's upcoming annual meeting and conference in Pittsburgh.
The award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions during their careers toward realizing the goals of the society through research, teaching, extension, public service and/or public policy.
"Since its inception, the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society has been both incubator and forum for diverse and extraordinary work on agriculture and food systems," said society president Amy Guptill. "[Sachs'] sustained work in so many areas has been central, thought-provoking and inspiring to members of the society and far beyond. We believe it is very fitting that [she] receive this award this year."
Sachs' research examines issues of gender and agriculture and gender and environmental issues. Her current work includes an exploration of the new women agricultural entrepreneurs and their opportunities and barriers to success; a comparative international project on gender and climate change in India in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; and a study of gendered work in the food system from farm to table.
Her extension and outreach interests include working with the Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network to provide hands-on agricultural, entrepreneurship and leadership training. She also serves on an expert panel to the United Nations on gender, water and sanitation.