Dr. Fick has studied the ecology and management of forage crops since he came to Cornell University. He has been especially interested in alfalfa and in methods of predicting alfalfa forage quality as the crop is growing in the field. In addition, he has been teaching three or four subjects each year related to forage crops, sustainable agriculture, and research methods. His present research includes the study of sustainable land allocations to support a balanced local food system. He is an academic advisor, having served over 180 undergraduate and 66 graduate student advisees, an author with over 315 scientific publications and abstracts, and an editor with service to 14 scientific journals.