CAST Pulse Podcast Episode 5: MRLs, Minor Crops, and the Future of Global Trade
In Episode 5 of the CAST Pulse Podcast, CAST’s Programs and Engagement Manager Kaylee Kleitsch sits down with Alan Norden, Secretary of the Minor Use Foundation Board of Directors.
CAST Pulse Podcast Episode 4: Agriculture, Trust, and the Case for a National Academy
Ray Starling, chair of the CAST Strategic Advisory Council, makes the case for a National Academy of Agriculture — and explains why rebuilding institutional trust is the first step.
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) announced that the 2025 Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA) ceremony honoring David L. Ortega will take place on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. EST, at Madison Hall at the Library of Congress.
It’s Time to Include Invasive Plants in the Wildfire Conversation
We often focus on climate change when we talk about today’s wildfires, and rightly so. Climate is a big part of the equation, but it doesn’t cause fire on its own. Invasive plants are rarely acknowledged as part of the wildfire problem.
Webinar “Gene-Edited Crops Product Development and Global Regulations”
The recording of the January 27 webinar examining the regulatory landscape for gene-edited crops entering commercial markets is now available.
Ice Cream – We All Scream For Ice Cream
Ice cream has endured centuries of human history—from snow mixed with honey in ancient civilizations to twentieth‑century breweries reinventing themselves during Prohibition. Even today, this beloved staple reflects both innovation and risk, as shown by a 2025 FDA recall affecting ice cream distributed across 23 states.
Webinar to Examine Market Entry of Gene-Edited Crops Across Global Regulatory Systems
CAST and the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) will host a webinar on January 27 at 12:00 pm EST examining the regulatory landscape for gene-edited crops entering commercial markets.
We Must Invest in Integrated Education and Workforce Development for a Strong Society
Agriculture is not just science and economics applied through hard work. It is the work of data science, economics, communication, ethics, engineering, sociology, environmental science, and creative problem-solving. Agriculture encompasses understanding local and global cultures, market narratives, global supply chains, and new digital tools that shift daily.
Technological Advances in the Agricultural Equipment Industry
Farm machinery is rapidly shifting from automation to autonomy, integrating GPS, AI, and data systems. At Agritechnica, trends were clear: more robots, global participation, and China’s growing role in high-tech ag. Full autonomy isn’t here yet, but the future is coming fast.
The SAC will assess, define, and recommend the steps necessary for CAST to evolve into the National Academy of Agriculture—providing strategic foresight, authoritative guidance, and trusted scientific information on issues critical to the present and future of U.S. agriculture.
