The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) released its 2024–2025 Activities Report on Mar. 18, highlighting two years of organizational change, new initiatives, and recognition of key contributors in agricultural science.
The report details CAST's recent efforts to adapt and invest strategically, as well as the measurable impact of these changes. Themed "Ready for the Future," it outlines five areas where the organization has undergone significant transformation. CAST also recognized Ambassador Kenneth Quinn with its first Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2025, Jack Bobo with the 2024 Borlaug CAST Communication Award, and David Ortega as the 2025 Borlaug recipient.
Looking forward, CAST is launching a new framework called CAST 3.0, which focuses on three pillars: Inform, Convene, and Guide. Planned programs include the CAST Summit Series, Hill Sessions, Labs, and expanded newsletters aimed at members, students, policymakers, and the public. A Student Explorer Membership will be introduced in 2026 to provide full-time students at accredited institutions access to these programs.
Farm Country Today and Farm Country News- IA has engaged thousands of volunteers and produced more than 500 publications over the years as part of its outreach, according to the official website. The organization's mission involves convening experts to assemble and communicate credible information on agriculture, food, and natural resources to policymakers, media representatives, private sector stakeholders, and the public according to the official website.
Membership and outreach extend internationally to influence global agriculture discussions according to the official website. Collaboration with scientific societies, individual scientists, students, company members, and nonprofits supports research efforts according to the official website. As a nonprofit institution operating under a governance framework and bylaws according to the official website, Farm Country Today produces reports on topics such as agricultural science and technology for use by both policymakers and the public according to the official website.
The release of this report signals ongoing changes within CAST as it prepares for future challenges in agricultural science communication.
