News
CAST to Host Free Webinar on Mental Health and Economic Viability in Agricultural Communities
May 12 event features Penn State rural sociologist Florence Becot.
Communications Office
April 28, 2026
CAST to Host Free Webinar on Mental Health and Economic Viability in Agricultural Communities
May 12 event features Penn State rural sociologist Florence Becot.
A Vision for Agriculture: Innovation Rooted in Trust
In this Voices of Agriculture, Melissa Merlau Johnson of Corteva Agriscience argues that scientists must move beyond facts alone — and start building trust through human connection.
CAST and SIVB to Host Free Webinar on AI in In Vitro Research
CAST and the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) are co-hosting a free public webinar on how artificial intelligence and bioinformatics are transforming in vitro biology research — from plant tissue culture to arthropod neuroscience.
CAST Opens Nominations for 2026 Borlaug CAST Communication Award
CAST is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Borlaug CAST Communication Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in communicating agricultural, environmental, and food science to policymakers, the media, and the public.
A More Diverse Corn Belt Is Within Reach
The Corn Belt’s corn–soy dominance has delivered productivity, but it has also left farmers, rural communities, and food systems increasingly vulnerable. Drawing on insights from farmers and agricultural stakeholders across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana, this article explores how diversified cropping systems—supported by smarter policy and stronger markets—can build a more resilient, profitable, and sustainable future for the region.
eKonomics Calculators in Practice: Tools and Resources for Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management
eKonomics Calculators in Practice features Lyle Cowell, senior agronomist, Nutrien, in a live demonstration of digital resources for soil fertility and nutrient management.
Water Security Is the Bedrock of Southern High Plains Farming and Ranching
Water is the backbone of farming and ranching in the Southern High Plains, yet it is becoming increasingly unreliable. While producers have long adapted to dry conditions, today’s challenges—declining aquifers, prolonged drought, and rising competition for water—are outpacing traditional solutions.
Remembering Norman Borlaug: A Founding Voice of Agricultural Science Communication
March 25, 2026 marks the 112th birthday of Norman Ernest Borlaug (1914–2009), Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the first author ever published by CAST.
Webinar Releasee ”Diversifying the Corn Belt: Policy Pathways for a Resilient Agricultural Future”
The brief is grounded in three years of participatory research: 10 stakeholder meetings with 178 participants, surveys of 725 farmers and interviews and focus groups with 136 producers across the region.
CAST Hosts Two Free Webinars in April on Soil Fertility Tools and Corn Belt Agricultural Policy
April events offer free, science-based programming for agronomists, farmers, policymakers and researchers.