Federal Innovation: You and New Agriculture

By Francis W. Wolek

Tax payers got a really good deal on investment in USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Most ARS projects successfully pay off for food processors, farmers, and the general public. ARS scientists are highly respected members of Interactive Communities governing agriculture. These communities unite processors, farms, universities, and government agencies in fruitful innovation. They encourage projects that have promise, and do whatever is necessary to make promising technologies successful. This book documents this amazing system, shows how it works, and outlines how it could be more successful.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Francis W. Wolek
• Release date: Dec 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311693211

Francis W. Wolek

My interests and style were strongly influenced by where I was born, raised, and educated. I was born in 1935 in Brooklyn, New York; educated in Brooklyn Technical High School, the Colorado School of Mines (Geology), and Harvard Business School (Doctorate in the Management of Science and Technology). I’ve spent most of my career as a Professor of Management at several universities; mostly at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University (now an Emeritus Professor of Management). My contributions include service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Science and Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce and some 75 publications. I am happily married to Gloria Peez Wolek and we are proud of our four children and four grandchildren. I divide my time equally between homes in Florida (Stuart) and Philadelphia (Shannondell at Valley Forge).

Book preview

FEDERAL INNOVATION:

You and New Agriculture

Francis W. Wolek

Professor Emeritus

Villanova University

Palantine Books

2015

Federal Innovation: You and New Agriculture

All rights reserved.

First edition printed 2015 in the United States

ISBN 13: 978131 169 321 1

Cover Design: Rita Toews

Graphic: Licensed from iStock Image

This book is for personal use; it may not be resold or given to others. If you would like to share this book with others, please purchase another copy. Thank you for respecting the work of the author. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the author. The author may be contacted at Villanova University.

Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of this information contained herein.

INTERACTIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

Chapter 1 – SUCCESS STORIES

Success? Says Who and Why?

Cooperation Doesn’t Just Happen

The Work of Cooperation is Adaptation

Chapter 2 – INTERACTIVE COMMUNITIES

The Informal Communities of Agriculture

A System of Informal Interaction

The Importance of Interaction to Innovation

Chapter 3 – WAS FED ACTION NECESSARY?

Is ARS Unique?

Federal Projects in Agriculture

Implications of the Agricultural Context

Chapter 4 – MANAGING INTERACTION

Community-Based Sense Interaction

Non-Obvious Principles of Interaction

Windows on the World of Knowledge

Strategic Transfers

Public Interaction

REFERENCES

About Frank Wolek

PREFACE

I’m a true believer! I believe that investments in people, technology, and infrastructure pay off for all of us. I believe people try their best to contribute and help others. In short, I believe a positive outlook is needed through life.

Furthermore, I never give up on others or on my positive outlook. Nowhere else is this more true than on technology. Thus, a recent book advocates a positive stance