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CAST Voices brings together leading voices in agricultural science to share insights, challenge assumptions, and connect research to the questions that matter most.

Latest Posts
Let’s Talk About PFAS Without the Hysteria
With science-based leadership, agriculture can navigate the PFAS challenge....
The Future of Food Isn’t Coming – It’s Already Here: Reflections from IFT FIRST 2025
A personal look at how science, empathy, and bold collaboration are shaping the next era of food innovation....
Public-Private Research Partnerships in Agriculture – Key to Improving Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability of Food Systems
Dr. Kurt Rosentrater explores how public-private partnerships have driven U.S. agricultural innovation—boosting sustainability, productivity, and global food security from hybrid seeds to precision farming....
How AI is Transforming Cooperative Extension Programs
The New Kids on the Block – AI chatbots, agents, and tools
Explore how AI chatbots, agents, and tools are reshaping Cooperative Extension programs. Jason de Koff discusses the benefits, risks, and best practices of AI in agriculture and education....
Pests Are Thieves of the Natural World
Organisms we normally think of as pests cost us time and money and often provide little in the way of benefit in return....
From Iowa to Uganda: Learning Sustainable Development Through Agricultural Innovation
A few months ago, I was invited to attend the 2025 Iowa State University Next Generation Institute: "Designing and Managing Sustainable Rural Livelihood Programs" in Kamuli, Uganda. I recently returned from the trip and have been reflecting on what I learned, the people I met, the things I saw, and...
Bridging the Gap: The Critical Role of Scientists in Policy Debates
In a survey of nearly 10,000 adults conducted just before the 2024 election, 48% found that scientists should “focus on establishing sound scientific facts and stay out of policy debates."...
The Technological Shift in Agriculture
Agriculture is experiencing a seismic shift related to its underlying technologies, incorporating advancements from other industries while also leading the way in its own evolution....
Farm Bill Expiration Sparks Uncertainty and Threatens American Agriculture
Lack of action on new Farm Bill creates ripple effects for farmers, markets, and consumers, says Louisiana commissioner of agriculture....
The Importance of Specialty Crops in Agriculture and Trade

By Dirk C. Drost Ph.D., CAST Board Chair, The Minor Use Foundation, non-profit member of CAST   Imagine a food and agriculture system that recognizes specialty crops – fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs and spices – are essential to nutritional security, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. These are high value crops with...

Reflections on Leadership: Guiding CAST Through Transition and Progress

By Alex Thomasson Professor, Department Head, and William B. and Sherry Berry Endowed Chair | Mississippi State University   As current President of CAST with a couple of months left in my tenure, I’ll share a few thoughts about the importance of this organization to agriculture. In 1972, Charles A....

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