Cathann A. Kress Joins American Food Power Council, Strengthening National Leadership in Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension

The Center for American Food Power (CAFP) today announced that Cathann A. Kress, PhD, Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University, has joined the American Food Power Council, bringing decades of leadership in agricultural research, higher education, Extension, and public service.

As Dean of one of the nation's premier colleges of food, agricultural, and environmental sciences, Dr. Kress leads education, research, and Extension programs that prepare future agricultural leaders, advance scientific discovery, and strengthen communities across Ohio. Since assuming leadership of the college, she has guided significant growth in research capacity, student success, fundraising, and modernization of teaching and research facilities while reinforcing the university's land-grant mission.

Before joining Ohio State, Dr. Kress served as Vice President for Extension and Outreach and Director of Cooperative Extension at Iowa State University, where she led a $100 million statewide organization connecting university expertise with communities throughout Iowa. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles with the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National 4-H Headquarters, and Cornell University, with research and applied scholarship focused on rural populations and community development.

Throughout her career, Dr. Kress has served in numerous national leadership positions that have shaped agricultural education, Extension, and public policy. She currently serves on the W. K. Kellogg Foundation Board of Trustees, the State of Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, the Ohio Expositions Commission, the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) Board of Trustees and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. She is a former member of the National 4-

H Council Board and a past chair of the Administrative Heads Section of the Board on Agriculture Assembly of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

“America's long-term food security depends not only on innovation in the field, but also in the institutions that educate leaders, conduct world-class research, and translate knowledge into practical solutions for producers and communities," said Brett Sciotto, Founder of the Center for American Food Power and Chief Executive Officer of Idealyst Innovation. "Cathann has dedicated her career to strengthening those institutions. Her experience leading one of the nation's foremost land-grant colleges, combined with her background in Extension and federal service, will provide invaluable perspective as the Council develops strategies to strengthen America's agrifood future.”

The Center for American Food Power is a forward-looking, nonpartisan think tank dedicated to strengthening the connection between agriculture, public policy, and national security. Founded on the principle that agrifood security is national security, the Center conducts strategic analysis, promotes cross-sector collaboration, and develops policy frameworks that position American agriculture for long-term resilience, competitiveness, and geopolitical relevance. 

The American Food Power Council serves as the Center's senior advisory body, bringing together nationally recognized leaders from across agriculture, food production, agribusiness, finance, academia, and public policy. Council members provide strategic insight and practical expertise to help shape recommendations that strengthen America's food system and reinforce its role as a pillar of national power. 

To learn more about how organizations can engage with CAFP, contact info@AmericanFoodPower.com and visit https://www.idealystinnovation.com/americanfoodpower.

The Center for American Food Power is an initiative of Idealyst Innovation, a firm focused on empowering the future of agrifood through innovation and business transformation.