By Jamie Martin
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology has taken an important step toward strengthening agricultural leadership by forming a Strategic Advisory Council. The council includes 18 experienced leaders representing education, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations.
The council’s main role is to examine how CAST can grow into the National Academy of Agriculture. This proposed academy would provide trusted scientific knowledge, long-term planning, and expert guidance on challenges facing U.S. agriculture now and in the future.
CAST has spent more than 50 years connecting experts to deliver objective, science-based information to decision-makers and the public. However, rapid changes in technology, global trade, food security, and environmental risks have increased the need for coordinating national leadership in agricultural science.
"The U.S. needs strong, coordinated, cross-sector leadership in agricultural science and technology," said Chris Boomsma, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of CAST. "The SAC is charged with helping CAST rigorously define what it would mean—and what it would require—for the organization to serve as the National Academy of Agriculture. CAST's credibility, nonpartisan structure, cross-sector membership, extensive expert network, and proven communication capacity make it uniquely capable of filling this leadership role." CAST’s existing network, nonpartisan approach, and strong reputation make it a strong candidate to guide national discussions on agricultural research and innovation.
The Strategic Advisory Council will be led by Ray Starling, a respected legal and policy expert. Council members bring knowledge from universities, farmer cooperatives, agricultural companies, research foundations, and public institutions.
Over the coming months, the council will meet regularly to evaluate CAST’s capabilities and identify what steps are required to support a national academy role. This includes reviewing organizational structure, partnerships, funding needs, and communication strategies.
The council will submit its findings and recommendations to the CAST Board of Directors by mid-2026. CAST leaders say the process will be thorough and collaborative, ensuring that any future role supports farmers, researchers, policymakers, and the broader food system.
CAST’s initiative reflects a broader effort to ensure U.S. agriculture remains innovative, secure, and guided by credible science in a rapidly changing world. "CAST is approaching this work with speed, rigor, and a collaborative spirit," said Boomsma. "The organization's goal is to thoroughly understand what steps are required to effectively serve the U.S. as the National Academy of Agriculture and what partners and resources are needed to make that happen."
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Categories: National