Rick Welsh to Lead Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society

Jun 30, 2026

By Jessica Youngman

The Maxwell sociologist recently began his term leading the international organization focused on the study of food, agriculture and health.

Rick Welsh, professor of sociology, has been elected to a three-year term of leadership in the Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), beginning as president-elect in June 2026.

The AFHVS is a prominent international professional organization that brings together scholars and practitioners for cross-disciplinary study of food, agriculture and health. Drawing members from philosophy, sociology, anthropology, nutrition policy and the humanities, it promotes research and dialogue on topics including food systems, agricultural sustainability, food justice and food sovereignty. It also publishes Agriculture and Human Values, a peer-reviewed journal that serves as the organization’s official scholarly publication.

Welsh is a senior research associate in the Center for Policy Research. Before he joined Maxwell in 2024, he served as the chair of the Nutrition and Food Studies Program at Falk College from 2014-21. His research and teaching focus on social change and development, with particular emphasis on agri-food systems, science and technology studies, and environmental sociology.

Source : syr.edu

Video: Canadian Wildfire Smoke Creates a Red Sunrise Over North Carolina Sunflower field - July 2026

A sunrise unlike any other.

This peaceful morning at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina was transformed by smoke drifting south from the Canadian wildfires. As the rising sun filtered through the haze, the sky glowed in deep shades of red and orange, casting a surreal light over the blooming sunflower field. While the colors were breathtaking, they also served as a reminder of how connected our environment is. Smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away changed the appearance of a North Carolina sunrise, creating a rare and unforgettable moment in nature.

Take a few minutes to experience this quiet morning as the sun slowly rises through the smoky haze above one of Raleigh's most beloved summer landscapes.