ISRC faculty research affiliate Katherine Dentzman, is a rural sociologist and assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. Her research program studies the human side of sustainable agricultural systems by investigating how farmers’ demographics and social and cultural factors influence their perspectives on crop management practices. 

Her work has aided in better understanding the human dimension of farming from herbicide resistance issues to the pathways and barriers of success in agriculture faced by women farmers. 

Dentzman’s ability to understand, process and summarize information as discussions take place in real time is remarkable. In 2023, the ISRC enlisted Dentzman and her research team to facilitate and collect information during a soybean production research think tank to help identify research needs, challenges and gaps. In 2024, Dentzman also facilitated workshops and small group discussions during the Coordinated Soybean Centers Group meeting.

“Working with the ISRC has been such a privilege and a pleasure; I've especially enjoyed the value placed on bringing together lots of different disciplines and stakeholders to brainstorm ways Iowa soybeans can be more sustainable and resilient. The openness to integrating the social sciences is really appreciated, as are the great network connections and resources the center provides. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the ISRC and affiliates on issues important to Iowa soybean production,” said Dentzman.

In 2025, at the Rural Sociological Society's Annual Conference, Dentzman was presented with the Best Paper Award for her article "A Fair Comparison: Women's and Men's Farms at Seven Scales in the United States," which she authored with Paul Lewin from the University of Idaho. The article used 2017 Census of Agriculture data which revealed gendered strategies when comparing men and women farmers on equal footing.

Before joining the faculty at Iowa State in 2021, Dentzman was a Social Science Program Specialist with the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. She earned her BA double majoring in Environmental Science and Sociology at Central Michigan University and both her MA and PhD in Sociology with a specialization in Ecological Food and Farming Systems at Michigan State University. After graduation she held multiple USDA-funded postdoctoral research associate positions at both Washington State University and the University of Idaho.