AMES, Iowa (Oct. 28, 2026) — The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has presented its 2026 President’s Award to Dr. David Baltensperger, professor of soil and crop sciences and interim head of food science and technology at Texas A&M University, and Ray Starling, chair of the CAST Strategic Advisory Council. Both were recognized for outstanding leadership and dedicated service in advancing CAST’s mission and strengthening the role of science and technology in agriculture and food systems.
CAST President P.V. Vara Prasad presented the award to Baltensperger on Oct. 26, on the opening night of the 2026 CAST Annual Meeting & Student Innovation Conference at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis. CAST CEO Chris Boomsma joined him on stage. Starling received the award online on Oct. 27.
“CAST depends on people who give their time, share their expertise, and help move our mission forward,” said CAST President P.V. Vara Prasad.
Baltensperger is a CAST lifetime member and served as CAST President in 2020–2021. He chaired CAST’s stakeholder-engagement planning initiative, provided editorial guidance for special publications and served as the Crop Science Society of America’s liaison to CAST. He also chaired the task force that prepared the 2021 CAST commentary The Role of Agricultural Science and Technology in Climate 21 Project Implementation, which brought together experts from several fields to provide science-based information to policymakers.
“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,” Baltensperger said. “Giants of the agricultural world—including Dr. Norman Borlaug, Martin Massengale, Darrell Nelson, and many others—shared with me CAST’s mission and value, and by encouraging my engagement, opened a wonderful opportunity to contribute through CAST to society. As CAST continues its vital work of bringing the best of science and technology to the public, policymakers, and the agricultural community, I believe its future is bright.”
Starling is general counsel of the NC Chamber and president of the NC Chamber Legal Institute, and chairs the CAST Strategic Advisory Council. Over the past year, he has led discussions among leaders from universities, industry, government and nonprofit organizations about CAST’s future, including the partnerships and resources needed to support a broader role. He discussed that future as a guest on the CAST Pulse podcast, and the council he chairs helped shape CAST’s The Future of American Agriculture series.
“American agriculture is at a critical juncture, and I admire CAST for choosing this moment to look hard at ensuring it is as influential in the future as it has been in the past,” Starling said. “I’m grateful to the NC Chamber for supporting me in leading the Strategic Advisory Council through that work, and to my fellow SAC members who have taught me much during the process. 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.”
“David and Ray have each strengthened CAST in different ways,” said CAST CEO Chris Boomsma. “David has served CAST for many years, as our president, as a task force chair and as a link to the crop science community. Ray is guiding the conversations that will shape how CAST serves agriculture in the years ahead. We are grateful to both of them.”
The President’s Award is a discretionary honor given by the CAST President. There is no nomination process, and more than one person may be honored in a year. Each recipient receives a bronze medallion mounted on a wood plaque. The medallion is by sculptor Jerry Palen, creator of the CAST bronzes. More than 25 people have received the award since 2007, including former CAST leaders, legislators, scientists, educators, farm broadcasters and leaders of nonprofits and industry.
Learn more about the 2026 recipients at cast-science.org/2026-cast-presidents-award.
