By Blake Jackson
Marianne Smith Edge, a registered dietitian with deep agricultural roots, has built a distinguished career connecting food, health, and agriculture.
Growing up on a Kentucky dairy farm instilled in her a fundamental understanding of food origins. "Growing up on a farm, you have an innate sense of where food comes from," Edge said, reflecting on her early responsibilities feeding calves and tending the family garden.
This unique background shaped her path, further nurtured by her active involvement in 4-H, where she connected food to nutrition science.
Edge strong ties to the University of Kentucky led her to the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, graduating in 1977 from the esteemed Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
This program, celebrating its 50th accreditation anniversary, provides a comprehensive education in food, nutrition, and management, preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists.
Julie Plasencia, DPD director, emphasizes that "Accreditation ensures the quality of nutrition and dietetics education of our students, which in turn, helps our profession advance and expand."
Edge's career began as a 4-H agent but soon gravitated towards her passion for food and nutrition. Edge established her own consulting business, MSE & Associates, offering strategic nutrition services nationwide.
Edge dedication to the field led to significant roles, including serving as the president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics from 2003-04, a historic achievement as the only Kentucky RD to hold that position. This role allowed her to represent the profession globally.
From 2010 to 2016, Edge was Senior Vice President at the International Food Information Council (IFIC), where she oversaw consumer research and strategic food and agriculture initiatives.
"When you dive into consumer research, you understand consumers do want to know more about where their food comes from," Edge noted, advocating for clear communication between professionals and the public.
A dedicated alumna, Edge served as president of the UK Alumni Association and as a member of the Board of Trustees. "I was very fortunate, as I was Alumni Association president during two historic events: the 1998 men’s basketball national championship and the opening of the William T. Young Library in 1998-both of which happened within the same week," she recalled. Currently, Edge is an assistant adjunct professor at UK.
In 2016, Edge founded Agri-Nutrition Edge, a platform bridging her agricultural background with her nutritional expertise, offering insights into the food system for both industry leaders and the general public.
"Agriculture is so much more than cows, plows and sows," Edge stated. "We have a lot of work still to do to show the public that agriculture, food and nutrition go hand in hand."
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc
Categories: Kentucky, Business, Crops