Knowles A. Ryerson; Agriculture Educator, Consultant

Knowles A. Ryerson, 97, an educator and an advocate of American agriculture. In 1928, after overseas assignments in Haiti and Palestine, Ryerson worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, heading the worldwide search for plant introductions to improve U.S. agriculture. He became chief of the federal Bureau of Plant Industry five years later. From 1937 to 1952 he was resident administrator of UC Davis and was agriculture dean at UC Berkeley until he retired in 1960. Ryerson received an LL.D. degree in 1961 and afterward continued to support international agricultural education and became a consultant for the United Nations. “Knowles Ryerson was one of the great builders and leaders of the University of California,” UC President David P. Gardner said. On Monday in Berkeley.