Dr. Foster is vice president at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan. His duties include guiding Foundation programming in food systems, rural development, and leadership and providing leadership for its food systems professions education initiative.
Dr. Foster joined the Foundation in 1991 as a visiting professional while on sabbatical leave from the University of Nebraska where he served as a professor of agricultural education. While at the Foundation as a visiting professional, he worked in international development activities at the School of Agriculture for the Humid Tropics (E.A.R.T.H.) in Costa Rica. In 1992, Dr. Foster was selected for a staff position as a program director.
Previously, Dr. Foster taught at Iowa State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln between 1976-1992. He also was a Group VIII Kellogg National Fellow from 1977 to 1990.
Dr. Foster received his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in agricultural education from Iowa State University in Ames.
He has received many awards and honors, including the E.B. Knight Award from the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture for writing the outstanding professional journal article for the 1990-91 publication year. He has honorary membership in Alpha Beta Delta, an international agriculture honorary; he was recognized with the Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Nebraska, and selected Outstanding Young Professor in 1990 by the Lincoln, Nebraska Jaycees.