Can CAST become the National Academy of Agriculture?

New council to guide CAST toward national agriculture leadership role

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology has announced the formation of a Strategic Advisory Council to help guide the future of agricultural science in the United States. The council includes 18 respected leaders from academia, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations. 

The purpose of the new council is to study and recommend how CAST can evolve into the National Academy of Agriculture. This future role would allow CAST to provide trusted scientific advice, long-term vision, and clear guidance on key agricultural issues affecting food production, national security, and sustainability. 

For more than five decades, CAST has brought together experts to share reliable, science-based information with policymakers, businesses, media, and the public. As agriculture continues to change due to new technologies, global competition, climate challenges, and shifting consumer needs, CAST believes a stronger national science leadership role is needed. 

"The U.S. needs strong, coordinated, cross-sector leadership in agricultural science and technology," said Chris Boomsma, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of CAST. "The SAC is charged with helping CAST rigorously define what it would mean—and what it would require—for the organization to serve as the National Academy of Agriculture. CAST's credibility, nonpartisan structure, cross-sector membership, extensive expert network, and proven communication capacity make it uniquely capable of filling this leadership role."  

The Strategic Advisory Council will be chaired by Ray Starling, a legal and policy leader with extensive experience in agriculture and public affairs. Members of the council represent diverse backgrounds, including universities, farmer organizations, biotechnology companies, research institutions, and policy groups. 

Over the next several months, the council will meet regularly to review CAST’s mission, structure, and capacity. It will assess what changes, partnerships, and resources would be needed for CAST to serve effectively as the National Academy of Agriculture. 

The council is expected to deliver its recommendations to the CAST Board of Directors by mid-2026. CAST leaders say this effort reflects a commitment to careful planning, collaboration, and scientific integrity as the organization works to support the future of U.S. agriculture. 

"CAST is approaching this work with speed, rigor, and a collaborative spirit," said Boomsma. "The organization's goal is to thoroughly understand what steps are required to effectively serve the U.S. as the National Academy of Agriculture and what partners and resources are needed to make that happen."  

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