What does it take to build a National Academy of Agriculture — and why does the U.S. need one now?
CAST Programs and Engagement Manager Kaylee Kleitsch talks with Ray Starling, chair of the CAST Strategic Advisory Council, about the challenge of aligning a fragmented industry, the crisis of institutional trust, and what the SAC hopes to deliver by mid-2026. Starling also shares his vision for how a National Academy could serve as a trusted venue for coordinating public and private investment in agricultural science, what success looks like for this first phase of work, and why he remains optimistic about the next generation of agricultural leadership.
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.
