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	<img alt="" class="border-right" src="{filedir_5}BlogPostPHOTODr_Price.jpg" />Dr. Martin Price&rsquo;s passion for using science to feed the hungry began in his mid-20s when five men from his church invited him into the deepest jungles of southern Mexico. It was there that he first encountered extreme poverty.</p>
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	Upon his return, Price engrossed himself in his doctoral research at Indiana University, all the while pondering how he could use his scientific skill to meet critical human needs and engage his growing interest in cross-cultural missions.</p>
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	After earning his doctorate in biochemistry, Price joined the faculty at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. During the following decade, he left his faculty position at Geneva, met and married his wife, Bonnie, and worked for Battelle Memorial Institute, a contract research organization. In 1981 he was led to ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization). Price cites Proverbs 16:9 as vital in helping him follow his chosen path: &ldquo;A man&rsquo;s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.&rdquo;</p>
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	Price led ECHO for more than 25 years before retiring from his position there, but retirement has not dulled his passion for helping people through the work of science. In August, Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies welcomed him as its new Executive Director.</p>
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	About his new involvement with Au Sable, Price says &ldquo;I first heard of Au Sable in the mid-80s when I was invited to a symposium on Missionary Earthkeeping at the Great Lakes site. My career at that point was not in an environmental science direction, but in helping those working with small-holder farmers in impoverished countries&mdash;the place where urgent human needs and severe environmental needs interface.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>
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	He learned more about Au Sable over the years as many of ECHO&rsquo;s interns had also studied or served as environmental education interns at Au Sable. &ldquo;Their time at Au Sable and things they learned often came up in conversation. It was more than just the content&mdash;there was something about the experience there that had clearly impacted them.&nbsp; Some influenced my own thinking and practice and helped turn me into an avid recycler!&nbsp; When alums would pass through ECHO, there seemed to be instant camaraderie even if they had never met.&rdquo;</p>
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	Price wants Au Sable students to know they can use their science education in many ways, including helping the poor in developing countries. For years, Au Sable has sent students to ECHO for a May course in tropical agriculture. And, as mentioned previously, many Au Sable alumni have become interns and staff at ECHO.</p>
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	The next year will be critical for Au Sable, according to Price. &ldquo;Although we ran into some serious trouble and the organization was in intensive care for a while, Au Sable survived&nbsp;because of experienced board and staff and the support of its donors. This next year we want to show our friends and alumni that we can run a full load of courses and do it within budget. Au Sable is a sustainable ministry and I am confident we will be here in the years to come.&rdquo;</p>
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	He mentions that Au Sable has many great assets, one being its long history. &ldquo;The fact that Au Sable has, for decades, had ministry taking place in a particular location is meaningful. It offers an education grounded in a sense of place as well as serving a need to many colleges in offering courses that they do not. The integration of a scriptural basis at the very practical level of &lsquo;why I should care about the environment&rsquo; is both critical and unique to Au Sable.&rdquo;</p>
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	When asked if he has anything to say to Au Sable&rsquo;s friends and alumni, Dr. Price doesn&rsquo;t miss a beat. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re here to stay and we are going to focus on doing the best job we can to make the time the students spend with us incredible and unforgettable. We want them to draw closer to God in the process.&rdquo;</p>
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	Have questions? Dr. Price can be contacted at <a href="mailto:price@ausable.org">price@ausable.org</a>.</p>
