Education
Kent Whealy graduated from the University of Kansas in 1969 with a degree in journalism.
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Kent Whealy
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Raised in Wellington, Kansas he was inspired by the works of agricultural geneticists Jack Harlan and H.Garrison Wilkes to use his training in communications to promote the protection of genetic diversity in agriculture. He started a family garden in 1975 which through various land acquisitions he helped developed into the Heritage Farm six miles north of Decorah, Iowa growing nearly 2,000 varieties of vegetables. Seed Savers Exchange
Whealy co-founded Seed Savers Exchange, Incorporated. in 1975, with then wife Diane Ott publishing an annual yearbook identifying heirloom seed varieties available for sale in North America.
The organization evolved into a private seed bank, collecting and saving heirloom varieties of vegetable, fruit and grain seeds.
In 1985, the group extended its reach to include maintaining an ancient rare breed of White Park cattle. Whealy left Seed Savers board in 2007.
By the time of his split with the organization Whealy and then former wife Dianne Ott were credited with helping to create one of the largest nongovernmental seed banks with more than 25,000 varieties. Ceres Trust
In 2009 Whealy became a trustee with the Ceres Trust.
Via the Ceres Trust Whealy funds research and advocacy campaigns in support of organic agriculture.
Advocacy
Whealy has been an outspoken supporter of organic agriculture and the Slow Food movement and critic of pesticides and genetically modified crops calling their use “immoral.” In 2012, he was listed among the largest financial donors in support of a California ballot initiative campaign to label foods derived from genetically engineered plants and animals.
Achievements
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Born
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Nationality
United States
Education
Awards
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MacArthur Fellowship MacArthur Fellows Program
The MacArthur Fellows Program, MacArthur Fellowship, or 'Genius Grant' is a prize awarded annually by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation typically to between 20 and 40 individuals, working in any field, who 'show exceptional merit and promise for continued and enhanced creative work' and are citizens or residents of the United States.The MacArthur Fellows Program, MacArthur Fellowship, or 'Genius Grant' is a prize awarded annually by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation typically to between 20 and 40 individuals, working in any field, who 'show exceptional merit and promise for continued and enhanced creative work' and are citizens or residents of the United States.