American agriculture faces extraordinary opportunities but also increasing complexity and diverse challenges. Technological change, global competition, workforce pressures, evolving consumer expectations, regulatory challenges, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and food and national security concerns are reshaping the agricultural landscape at a pace few institutions were designed to address.
American agriculture benefits from world-class universities, innovative companies, producer organizations, government agencies, and research institutions. Yet as challenges become more interconnected, questions increasingly arise about how those efforts can be better aligned around emerging opportunities, risks, and priorities.
This series grew out of ongoing conversations within CAST’s Strategic Advisory Council (SAC), a group of leaders from across agriculture assembled to explore the future needs of the agricultural enterprise and the role CAST can play in addressing them. While SAC members brought different experiences and perspectives to those discussions, a common theme emerged: the importance of creating opportunities for thoughtful, cross-sector conversation about the capabilities, partnerships, innovations, and institutions that will shape agriculture in the decades ahead.
Through a series of public dialogues, participants will explore the investments, innovations, partnerships, and institutional capabilities that will shape the future of American agriculture. The conversations are intended to inform the ongoing work of CAST’s SAC and Board of Directors as both groups consider how CAST can grow its impact as a trusted source of science-based expertise, strategic foresight, and cross-sector dialogue.
What capabilities, partnerships, and innovations will American agriculture need to thrive in an increasingly complex world?
“American agriculture faces challenges that are increasingly interconnected, from research and innovation to competitiveness, resilience, and public confidence. For more than 50 years, CAST has helped convene experts from across agriculture to examine complex issues through credible, science-based dialogue. This series builds on that tradition by bringing together leaders with diverse perspectives to explore the opportunities, challenges, and capabilities that will shape the future of agricultural science, technology, and innovation. CAST believes agriculture is strongest when science, expertise, and collaboration help inform long-term thinking and action.”
Chris Boomsma, Ph.D. — Chief Executive Officer, CAST
Natural Systems Capital, Inc.
ClearPath
ArentFox Schiff
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Rockey Consulting
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Silent Shade Planting Company
United Soybean Board
UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies
Borlaug Consulting
Iowa State University
Michael Best
Native Agriculture Financial Services
NC Chamber
To broaden participation and showcase the diversity of expertise represented on CAST’s Strategic Advisory Council, CAST is launching Horizon Perspectives: The Future of American Agriculture — a companion video series featuring short reflections from SAC members.
Participants address questions such as: What is the greatest opportunity facing American agriculture? What is the greatest risk? What capability does agriculture most need to strengthen? What barriers to innovation deserve greater attention? What should agriculture prioritize between now and 2040?
These interviews extend the conversation beyond the public webinars and highlight additional perspectives from across the Council. Videos will be added here as they become available.