Ames, Iowa, [DATE] — The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has opened registration for the 2026 CAST Annual Meeting & Student Innovation Conference, scheduled for October 26–28, 2026, in St. Louis, MO, hosted by Bayer CropScience.
Under the theme “Science That Feeds Tomorrow,” the three-day event brings together members of CAST’s Board of Directors, Strategic Advisory Council, Workgroups, and Student Members for joint business sessions, panel discussions, and facility tours at the Bayer Chesterfield Campus and other St. Louis-area locations. The full program is being finalized; tours are tentative and schedules are subject to change.
The Student Innovation Conference, held alongside the Annual Meeting, invites CAST Student Members to present original research posters and compete for awards totaling $1,750: first place ($1,000), second place ($500), and third place ($250), as voted by CAST Board Members. Space is limited to 15 poster presentations.
The poster session will be held Monday, October 26, during the Welcome Dinner & Student Innovation Competition at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, beginning at approximately 5:15 p.m. Student registration includes complimentary meals, transportation between CAST-designated hotels and all official venues, and tickets to tours.
“This meeting is one of our most important opportunities of the year to bring together the leaders and emerging voices in agricultural science,” said Chris Boomsma, CAST CEO. “We look forward to welcoming our student members alongside our board and workgroup members for three days of collaboration and exploration in St. Louis.”
Registration is open to CAST Student Members, CAST Board of Directors, and CAST Board of Representatives. All registered participants are welcome at every event except the closed Board of Directors planning session on Wednesday morning.
