R. James Hildreth

An outstanding record of professional contributions in the areas of improved research, citizen education and public policy marks Dr. Hildreth's career. He began his studies at Iowa State University, earning his undergraduate degree in economics and a master's degree in labor economics. After teaching at Augsburg College in Minnesota for two years, he received a Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1954. He spent the following four years teaching and researching farm management and production economics at Texas A&M University, becoming research coordinator for the West Texas division of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in 1958 and assistant director for research project development. He moved to the Farm Foundation in 1962, serving for eight years as associate managing director and managing director from 1970 to 1991.

Dr. Hildreth was president of the AAEA for the 1977-78 term, serving on the Board of Directors from 1962 to 1972. He also was active on the Steering Committee on Agricultural Economics and Financial Resources and the Ad Hoc Committee on Chinese Agricultural Economics. He chaired the AAEA Visiting Lecturer Committee from 1969 to 1975 and was a member of the AAEA Professional Activities Committee and Economic Statistics Committee. Dr. Hildreth received the Henry A. Wallace Award from Iowa State University in 1981 and was named a fellow of the AAEA in 1982.