"Sun, Earth, Water, Mankind. In synergy with science and technology to create a sustainable world supported by plants and animals."
The CAST President’s Award is a special honor bestowed by the CAST President to recognize individuals who have personally contributed to the advancement of CAST and who have furthered the cause of agriculture, science, and technology in a world so dependent on all three disciplines.
Unlike CAST’s competitive annual awards, the President’s Award is a discretionary honor — given at the President’s direction to acknowledge exceptional service, advocacy, and dedication. Recipients have included U.S. Senators and Congressmen, scientists, farmers, broadcasters, translators, and longstanding CAST leaders who have shaped the organization and its mission over decades.
Each recipient receives a bronze medallion crafted by artist Jerry Palen — the same sculptor behind the BCCA bronze sculpture. Palen is an award-winning artist whose work has been gifted by every U.S. President since Jimmy Carter, and whose iconic “Stampede” cartoon series runs in agricultural publications across the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at jerrypalen.com.
About the Medallion: The CAST President’s Award is a bronze medallion crafted by sculptor Jerry Palen. The inscription on the medallion reads:
"Sun, Earth, Water, Mankind. In synergy with science and technology to create a sustainable world supported by plants and animals."
The President’s Award is given to individuals whose contributions have moved CAST forward — in any capacity. Past recipients span:
The award is presented at the discretion of the CAST President and is not a competitive nomination process. Multiple recipients may be honored in a given year.
CAST President P.V. Vara Prasad presented the 2026 CAST President's Award to Dr. David Baltensperger and Ray Starling in recognition of outstanding leadership and dedicated service in advancing CAST's mission and strengthening the role of science and technology in agriculture and food systems.
Texas A&M University
Presented Oct. 26, 2026 · St. Louis
Professor of soil and crop sciences and interim head of food science and technology at Texas A&M, Baltensperger is a CAST lifetime member and served as CAST President in 2020–2021.
“The CAST President’s Award is particularly meaningful to me because it reminds me of the many mentors who guided my journey through CAST and other organizations.” — Dr. David BaltenspergerMeet Dr. Baltensperger →
NC Chamber
Presented Oct. 27, 2026 · Online
General counsel of the NC Chamber and president of the NC Chamber Legal Institute, Starling chairs the CAST Strategic Advisory Council and has led its discussions about CAST's future.
“It is not lost on me that there are thousands of people who climb in and out of truck and tractor cabs, step up to processing lines and lab benches, or trudge through the grind of public policy making every day, whose contributions to American agriculture are all deserving of this kind of recognition. I accept the honor with them very much in mind and am optimistic about the future we share.” — Ray StarlingMeet Ray Starling →
Supporting the next generation of agricultural science communicators at the student level.
CAST’s premier annual honor — recognizing mid-career professionals bridging science and society.
CAST’s honor — for sustained, career-long impact at the national or international level.
The President’s Award has recognized more than 25 individuals since 2007, spanning scientists, legislators, farmers, broadcasters, volunteers, and CAST leaders.
CAST Past President
CAST Executive Treasurer
CAST Board of Trustees Chair
CAST Past President
CAST Past President
Volunteer Spanish Translator
Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Senator (Michigan)
Senator (Georgia)
Congressman (Virginia)
Congressman (Oklahoma)
Senator (Kansas)
Senator (Iowa)
Farm Broadcaster
President, World Food Prize Foundation
Executive Director, Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, UC–Davis
Senator (Nebraska)
Former California Secretary of Agriculture
Administrator, Agricultural Research Service
Senator (Wisconsin)
Sculptor, Creator of CAST Bronzes
Congressman (Minnesota)
President and CEO, CropLife America
Senator (Iowa)
CAST Executive Vice President (1992–2001)
