Kirk Riley

A native of Michigan, Kirk Riley has an abiding love for the beauty of his state and a deep commitment to activism to preserve that beauty. As a senior at Michigan State University, he read “New Roots for Agriculture” and was captivated by The Land Institute’s work. Most of all, he couldn’t help but fall for the alliteration in the blurb at the front of the book, “Stipends for Students in Sustainable Agriculture.“ Kirk’s time at The Land Institute led him to a career at Michigan State University, where he translates complex technical information for citizen audiences. As an intern at The Land in 1984, he focused his research on seed production of Helianthus Maximiliani intercropped with legumes. Most of all, Kirk built lifelong connections with Wes Jackson and a wonderful group of interns.

My most perennial trait is Love of Music – Credit to the amazing musicians I met at the Land, including my fellow interns and folk singer Ann Zimmerman.

1984 Intern at The Land Institute