The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) announced on Mar. 23 that it will host two free public webinars in April, focusing on agricultural diversification policy in the U.S. Corn Belt and digital tools for soil fertility management. Both sessions are open to the public.
These events aim to connect scientific research with those working directly in agriculture, offering resources for informed decision-making. The first webinar, scheduled for April 14, will present a new CAST policy brief titled "Diversifying the Corn Belt: Policy Pathways for a Resilient Agricultural Future." This brief explores how federal and state policies can support greater crop diversity in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana.
The policy brief is based on three years of participatory research involving ten stakeholder meetings with 178 participants, surveys of 725 farmers, and additional engagement through focus groups and interviews. It identifies nineteen potential policy opportunities across areas such as federal crop insurance programs, Farm Bill conservation efforts, post-harvest infrastructure development, and institutional procurement practices. The research found that most crop production in the region focuses on corn and soybeans—94%—and that current insurance programs often make it harder to insure alternative crops. The session will be led by Lauren Asprooth from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Brennan Radulski from the University of Vermont.
“CAST was built on the idea that science should inform the policies that shape American agriculture,” said Chris Boomsma, CEO of CAST. “This brief brings farmer voices and rigorous research together to give policymakers a clear, evidence-based picture of the opportunities available.”
A second webinar will take place April 23 in partnership with Nutrien. Lyle Cowell will demonstrate digital resources such as eKonomics platform calculators for input planning and fertilizer management. The event is open to all agronomists, consultants, farmers or interested individuals seeking professional development credit.
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