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	Dale Hess Collegiate Program Director Associate Professor of Agroecology B.A. Millersville State College, 1976 M.S., Purdue University, 1984 Ph.D., Purdue University, 1989 Contact info Office: Merry Lea Phone: (260) 799-5869 E-mail: dhess@goshen.edu
Did You Know? Fossil evidence indicates that plants were affected by disease in times preceding the earliest writings. The Bible and other early texts mention diseases, such as rusts, mildews, blights, and blast that have caused famine and other extreme changes in the economy of nations since the dawn of recorded history. In an organic system, disease-control strategies should have an ecological basis. The organic system should encourage the growth and diversity of soil inhabiting and epiphytic (plant surface dwelling) microorganisms that can exert beneficial and pathogen-antagonistic influences. An increase in the genetic diversity of the crop host and crop rotation are other appropriate management steps. Integration of disease management decisions with insect and weed control and good production practices is an important aspect of organic crop production.	How I became an agroecologist My interest in the natural world manifested itself early in childhood. My aptitude for the natural sciences was confirmed in high school, and in college I chose to major in biology. Following a volunteer term in Burkina Faso with Mennonite Central Committee, I undertook graduate training in botany and plant pathology, rounding out my training as a plant scientist with a terminal degree in genetics and plant breeding. While working as a plant pathologist in West and Central Africa I became acutely aware of the need to emphasize sustainability in food production systems and this became an integral part of my research and training program. Wes Jackson has pointed out that we are living in the "Prodigal Era" when most of the topsoil and most of the fossil fuels will be used up. I wish to help students understand the importance of and engage in developing local food economies supplied by local producers and supported by local consumers. Ideas that matter to me Creation, in all its amazing diversity and complexity, declares God’s glory. We are privileged to study and learn about the natural world through scientific investigation. And we find, as have those who have gone before us, that the more we explore and find out, the more manifest God becomes in creation. It is important to me to use my gifts to serve God through service to others and to bear witness to the great good news of the gospel. The classes I teach and how I teach them I teach/coordinate the new Agroecology Summer Intensive at Merry Lea. It is important to me to cultivate in students a curiosity and love of learning that will grow throughout life. And I want them to realize that learning is a collective and cooperative undertaking. Some learning is achieved through traditional lecture and laboratory sessions, but we take advantage of the natural laboratory that is Merry Lea to learn through hands-on doing. My role in Merry Lea’s new graduate program in Environmental Education: When the program begins, I will contribute to teaching a course in research methods and measurements. This introductory course will teach basic research methods and statistical analysis for ecological, environmental and educational research. Research Interests I contribute to cataloging the biodiversity found in Merry Lea’s 1,150 acres through collecting and identifying Merry Lea’s flora. A significant number of ligneous and herbaceous species have been collected.I collaborate with a Purdue professor to investigate the influence of plant genotype and row width on the development of Sclerotinia “white” mold of soybean. Selected Publications: Yonli, D., Hess, D.E., Abbasher, A.A., Sereme, P. & Sankara, P. 2005. Biological control of witchweed in fields of Burkina Faso using isolates of Fusarium oxysporum. African Crop Science Journal 13: 41-47. Haussmann, B.I.G., Hess, D.E., Omanya, G.O., Folkertsma, R.T., Reddy, B.V.S., Kayentao, M., Welz, H.G. & Geiger, H.H. 2004. Genomic regions influencing resistance to the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica in two recombinant inbred populations of sorghum. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 107: 1005-1016. Hess, D.E., & Dodo, H. 2004. Potential for sesame to contribute to integrated control of Striga hermonthica in the West African Sahel. Crop Protection 23:515-522. Hess, D.E., Bandyopadhyay, R. & Sissoko, I. 2002. Pattern analysis of sorghum genotype x environment interaction for leaf, panicle and grain anthracnose in Mali. Plant Disease 86:1374-1382. Presentation topics I am available to speak to groups about topics in agriculture, plant health, and social consequences of various agricultural systems. Personal Interests Bicycling, gardening, languages, music, photography, reading, and stamp-collecting. Countries Visited Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, D.R. Congo, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Guinea Bissau, Holland, India, Japan, Kenya, Mali, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda.

Dale Hess
Collegiate Program Director
Associate Professor of Agroecology

B.A. Millersville State College, 1976
M.S., Purdue University, 1984
Ph.D., Purdue University, 1989

Contact info
Office: Merry Lea
Phone: (260) 799-5869
E-mail: dhess@goshen.edu

Did You Know?

Fossil evidence indicates that plants were affected by disease in times preceding the earliest writings. The Bible and other early texts mention diseases, such as rusts, mildews, blights, and blast that have caused famine and other extreme changes in the economy of nations since the dawn of recorded history.

In an organic system, disease-control strategies should have an ecological basis. The organic system should encourage the growth and diversity of soil inhabiting and epiphytic (plant surface dwelling) microorganisms that can exert beneficial and pathogen-antagonistic influences. An increase in the genetic diversity of the crop host and crop rotation are other appropriate management steps. Integration of disease management decisions with insect and weed control and good production practices is an important aspect of organic crop production.

How I became an agroecologist
My interest in the natural world manifested itself early in childhood. My aptitude for the natural sciences was confirmed in high school, and in college I chose to major in biology. Following a volunteer term in Burkina Faso with Mennonite Central Committee, I undertook graduate training in botany and plant pathology, rounding out my training as a plant scientist with a terminal degree in genetics and plant breeding. While working as a plant pathologist in West and Central Africa I became acutely aware of the need to emphasize sustainability in food production systems and this became an integral part of my research and training program. Wes Jackson has pointed out that we are living in the "Prodigal Era" when most of the topsoil and most of the fossil fuels will be used up. I wish to help students understand the importance of and engage in developing local food economies supplied by local producers and supported by local consumers.

Ideas that matter to me
Creation, in all its amazing diversity and complexity, declares God’s glory. We are privileged to study and learn about the natural world through scientific investigation. And we find, as have those who have gone before us, that the more we explore and find out, the more manifest God becomes in creation. It is important to me to use my gifts to serve God through service to others and to bear witness to the great good news of the gospel.

The classes I teach and how I teach them
I teach/coordinate the new Agroecology Summer Intensive at Merry Lea. It is important to me to cultivate in students a curiosity and love of learning that will grow throughout life. And I want them to realize that learning is a collective and cooperative undertaking. Some learning is achieved through traditional lecture and laboratory sessions, but we take advantage of the natural laboratory that is Merry Lea to learn through hands-on doing.

My role in Merry Lea’s new graduate program in Environmental Education:
When the program begins, I will contribute to teaching a course in research methods and measurements. This introductory course will teach basic research methods and statistical analysis for ecological, environmental and educational research.

Research Interests
I contribute to cataloging the biodiversity found in Merry Lea’s 1,150 acres through collecting and identifying Merry Lea’s flora. A significant number of ligneous and herbaceous species have been collected.I collaborate with a Purdue professor to investigate the influence of plant genotype and row width on the development of Sclerotinia “white” mold of soybean.

Selected Publications:

Yonli, D., Hess, D.E., Abbasher, A.A., Sereme, P. & Sankara, P. 2005. Biological control of witchweed in fields of Burkina Faso using isolates of Fusarium oxysporum. African Crop Science Journal 13: 41-47.

Haussmann, B.I.G., Hess, D.E., Omanya, G.O., Folkertsma, R.T., Reddy, B.V.S., Kayentao, M., Welz, H.G. & Geiger, H.H. 2004. Genomic regions influencing resistance to the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica in two recombinant inbred populations of sorghum. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 107: 1005-1016.

Hess, D.E., & Dodo, H. 2004. Potential for sesame to contribute to integrated control of Striga hermonthica in the West African Sahel. Crop Protection 23:515-522.

Hess, D.E., Bandyopadhyay, R. & Sissoko, I. 2002. Pattern analysis of sorghum genotype x environment interaction for leaf, panicle and grain anthracnose in Mali. Plant Disease 86:1374-1382.

Presentation topics
I am available to speak to groups about topics in agriculture, plant health, and social consequences of various agricultural systems.

Personal Interests
Bicycling, gardening, languages, music, photography, reading, and stamp-collecting.

Countries Visited
Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, D.R. Congo, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Guinea Bissau, Holland, India, Japan, Kenya, Mali, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda.