What does it take to build a National Academy of Agriculture — and why does the U.S. need one now?
Ray Starling has spent his career at the intersection of agriculture, law, and public policy — and as chair of the CAST Strategic Advisory Council, he is now leading the effort to evaluate whether CAST should become the National Academy of Agriculture. In this episode, he talks with CAST Programs and Engagement Manager Kaylee Kleitsch about why alignment across a fragmented industry remains agriculture’s hardest problem, what the SAC is designed to accomplish, and why rebuilding institutional trust is the foundation for everything else.
Plus: the 2025 Borlaug CAST Communication Award ceremony honoring Dr. David Ortega is rescheduled for March 3, 2026, at the Library of Congress — and we highlight two recent CAST publications on precision irrigation management and dietary proteins.
About the CAST
Pulse Podcast The CAST Pulse Podcast releases a new episode every Wednesday, featuring conversations on agricultural innovation, science communication, and policy with experts, students, and leaders across the agricultural sciences.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the guests. They do not necessarily represent the views, positions, or policies of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). CAST provides this platform to encourage thoughtful dialogue on issues relevant to agricultural science and its future, but does not endorse any specific viewpoints shared by podcast guests.
