Dr. John M. O’Sullivan, Co-Director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, Awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor McCrory

August 9, 2013: For Immediate Release

Raleigh, NC:  Dr. John M. O’Sullivan, Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, Local and Community Food Systems at NC Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&TSU) and Co-Director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), has been awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory.  Conferring the title of “Ambassador Extraordinary”, the award is one of the highest civilian awards presented by the state and recognizes exceptional public service.

Says Dr. Nancy Creamer, CEFS Co-Director, “John knows how to bring about changes in the broader community through policy and outreach, and how important a strong research and extension base is to facilitating such a change. He is a visionary and well-connected nationally (and internationally for that matter), and will continue to bring prestige, recognition, vision, and resources to NCA&TSU, CEFS and the state of North Carolina.  It’s truly hard for me to imagine anyone else I know being more qualified to receive one of the highest honors the state gives out.”

Dr. O’Sullivan has been a faculty member at NCA&TSU since 1983, where he has worked as a farm management and marketing specialist with the Cooperative Extension Program, helping small scale producers address issues of marketing and sustainable production. He now holds the W.K. Kellogg Endowed Chair in Sustainable Agriculture, Local and Community Food Systems at NCA&TSU. Working with the Community Voices leadership development program connected him with many organizations and groups across rural North Carolina. In 2004-2006 he was one of the founding members of the Carteret Catch marketing effort for local fish catch in that county.

He has an M.A. and Ph.D. from UCLA and an M.S. from Auburn University.  He has served on the faculty at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California; Tuskegee University in Alabama; and North Carolina A&T State University.