"Sun, Earth, Water, Mankind. In synergy with science and technology to create a sustainable world supported by plants and animals."
The CAST President’s Award is a special honor bestowed by the CAST President to recognize individuals who have personally contributed to the advancement of CAST and who have furthered the cause of agriculture, science, and technology in a world so dependent on all three disciplines.
Unlike CAST’s competitive annual awards, the President’s Award is a discretionary honor — given at the President’s direction to acknowledge exceptional service, advocacy, and dedication. Recipients have included U.S. Senators and Congressmen, scientists, farmers, broadcasters, translators, and longstanding CAST leaders who have shaped the organization and its mission over decades.
Each recipient receives a bronze medallion crafted by artist Jerry Palen — the same sculptor behind the BCCA bronze sculpture. Palen is an award-winning artist whose work has been gifted by every U.S. President since Jimmy Carter, and whose iconic “Stampede” cartoon series runs in agricultural publications across the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at jerrypalen.com.
About the Medallion: The CAST President’s Award is a bronze medallion crafted by sculptor Jerry Palen. The inscription on the medallion reads:
"Sun, Earth, Water, Mankind. In synergy with science and technology to create a sustainable world supported by plants and animals."
The President’s Award is given to individuals whose contributions have moved CAST forward — in any capacity. Past recipients span:
The award is presented at the discretion of the CAST President and is not a competitive nomination process. Multiple recipients may be honored in a given year.
Supporting the next generation of agricultural science communicators at the student level.
CAST’s premier annual honor — recognizing mid-career professionals bridging science and society.
CAST’s honor — for sustained, career-long impact at the national or international level.
The President’s Award has recognized more than 25 individuals since 2007, spanning scientists, legislators, farmers, broadcasters, volunteers, and CAST leaders.
CAST Past President
CAST Executive Treasurer
CAST Board of Trustees Chair
CAST Past President
CAST Past President
Volunteer Spanish Translator
Iowa State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Senator (Michigan)
Senator (Georgia)
Congressman (Virginia)
Congressman (Oklahoma)
Senator (Kansas)
Senator (Iowa)
Farm Broadcaster
President, World Food Prize Foundation
Executive Director, Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, UC–Davis
Senator (Nebraska)
Former California Secretary of Agriculture
Administrator, Agricultural Research Service
Senator (Wisconsin)
Sculptor, Creator of CAST Bronzes
Congressman (Minnesota)
President and CEO, CropLife America
Senator (Iowa)
CAST Executive Vice President (1992–2001)
