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Donald L. Uchtmann
Biography

Donald L. Uchtmann is a Professor of Agricultural Law. He obtained his B.S. (with honors) in agricultural science from the University of Illinois . A Rotary Foundation Fellowship for International Understanding enabled him to study economic development at the University of Leeds, England, where he received his Master of Arts. His Juris Doctor, cum laude , was awarded in 1974 from The Cleveland State University.

In 1974 Uchtmann came to the University of Illinois as a faculty member in the Department of Agricultural Economics with responsibilities in classroom teaching, research, and extension. He has published two textbooks and over 25 refereed articles. He is President of the American Agricultural Law Association in 2005-2006 and Vice-chair of the Agricultural Law Section Council of the Ill. State Bar Association. He has been active in faculty governance, e.g., serving as Vice Chair of the Faculty-Student Senate from 1986-88, and 1997-98.

Uchtmann also served in several administrative leadership positions, e.g., as interim Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics (August 1987-August 1988), interim Associate Dean of the College and Director of the Cooperative Extension Service (August 1988-January 1990), Associate Dean and Director of the Cooperative Extension Service (January 1990-January 1996), and Director of Federal Extension Relations (January 1996 to August 1996). As Director of CES, he lead Illinois extension through a dynamic period of change, served as chair of the Extension Directors from the North Central States, and was elected to the National Extension Committee on Organization and Policy.

Uchtmann returned to the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics in August 1996. He teaches Agricultural Law (ACE 403) , Rural Taxation (ACE 303) , assists with a biotechnology course and a course for students returning to production agriculture, and has taught Veterinary Jurisprudence and a Freshman Discovery Course. His research in agricultural law focuses generally on legal issues in agricultural biotechnology, and his agricultural law extension program utilizes the World Wide Web, various continuing legal education forums, and other delivery mechanisms.

Throughout his academic career, Uchtmann has pursued international dimensions of Agricultural Law. He has presented papers, conducted research, or served as a consultant in many countries including Brazil , Great Britain , France , Italy , Germany , The Netherlands, Poland , Russia , Kazakhstan , China , Japan , and Laos .

Among his recognitions are the College Young Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching (1986); the American Agricultural Economics Association's Distinguished Extension Program Award-Group (2002); the C-FAR Holt Achievement Award (2004); and the College Team Award for Excellence (2004) – the latter three being Group Recognitions shared with his farmdoc (www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu) colleagues.