Ippolito elected president of American Society of Agronomy

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jim Ippolito, the Rattan Lal Endowed Professor of Soil Health and Soil Fertility at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has been elected the 119th president of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA).

This national leadership role recognizes Ippolito’s contributions to agronomy and sustainable agricultural practices. With more than 6,000 members and serving over 12,000 Certified Crop Advisers, ASA supports the development, dissemination and application of agronomic knowledge and solutions.

As president-elect, Ippolito brings to the role a national reputation for impactful research and a strong commitment to professional service. He has been a member of ASA for 35 years. Ippolito will assume the role of president-elect in January 2026.

“The American Society of Agronomy is an international leader representing the science and sustainable practices of agronomy as applied to meeting world food demands and protecting the environment,” said Gary M. Pierzynski, CFAES associate dean for research and graduate education, director of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, and past ASA president (2019). “We are pleased that Dr. Jim Ippolito was elected to lead this prestigious organization. His election is a testament to his standing within the profession.”

“Dr. Ippolito brings a wealth of leadership experience and outstanding academic credentials to this significant leadership role.”

With a commitment spanning 35 years, Ippolito has served ASA in numerous capacities—ranging from board-level leadership to program planning officer for the past nine years to active participation on task forces, chairing award committees and symposia and supporting Environmental Quality Section initiatives.

Ippolito’s career has focused on improving environmental soil fertility, chemistry, microbiology, and soil health within agricultural systems, shortgrass steppe, grazed lands, burned areas and metal-contaminated mined-land ecosystems. His research program explores the linkages between soil macro- and micronutrients, trace and heavy metals, microbiological activity, and soil physical attributes—and how these factors combine to influence ecosystem sustainability, resilience, and food, climate and environmental security. 

“Serving my home society, the American Society of Agronomy, as its upcoming president is an honor,” said Ippolito. “Helping shape the future of agronomy and advancing agricultural sciences and practices is incredibly exciting.”

“This society has provided many people—including myself—with the opportunity to listen, learn, and network with the best and brightest in agricultural and environmental sciences. I’m humbled that my colleagues and peers have placed their faith in me by selecting me for this position.”

As president-elect of the American Society of Agronomy, Ippolito will serve as a member of the ASA Executive Committee, ASA Board of Directors, and the Alliance of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Societies Board of Directors. He will also serve on 10 additional ASA committees to help advance the society’s strategic vision of connecting agronomic science to real-world applications.