CAST continued its National Academy of Agriculture listening tour this week with a session hosted in partnership with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, bringing together leaders from across the agricultural enterprise for a candid, forward-looking conversation about the future of American agriculture.
CAST is grateful to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture for hosting and helping convene this gathering, and to all the participants who gave their time and candid perspectives. The session drew leaders from universities and land-grant institutions, agricultural producer groups and commodity organizations, food companies, policy and legal organizations, and conservation groups, alongside members of CAST’s Strategic Advisory Council.
The conversation explored how American agriculture can strengthen strategic foresight, establish shared priorities, and move from recommendations to real implementation. Participants consistently pushed beyond questions of organizational structure toward function and impact — raising the need for long-term priorities, actionable roadmaps, economic realism, and stronger coordination across the agricultural system.
“The discussion reinforced that agriculture should not simply react to change, but help define where it wants to go and what it will take to get there. There was a clear emphasis on ensuring that any future effort ultimately serves producers, informs decision-makers, and strengthens public understanding of agriculture.”
— Chris Boomsma, CEO, CAST
Insights from the Arkansas session will inform the ongoing work of CAST and its Strategic Advisory Council as they evaluate how science, technology, innovation, and cross-sector leadership can better position American agriculture for long-term competitiveness, resilience, and impact.
The listening tour continues as CAST gathers perspectives from leaders across the country. To follow the progress of this initiative and stay informed about future sessions, visit cast-science.org or follow CAST on social media @castagscience.
