Agricultural Innovation Agenda session set June 30
The National Center for Appropriate Technology, Organic Seed Alliance and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition will host a virtual listening session at 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s call for input on its Agricultural Innovation Agenda.
Anyone interested in the resiliency, economic viability, and environmental impact of the nation's farms and ranches is invited to attend the session, including farmers, ranchers, researchers, educators, farm workers, extension agents, food and seed members, seed growers and other agricultural stakeholders. The input collected through the webinar event will be shared with the USDA to inform the direction of research and innovation.
“When I reflect on how many ways USDA’s agricultural research investments chart a future course for resilient, just agricultural systems – or their opposite – I get excited at having USDA hear directly from stakeholders about what agricultural innovation should look like,” said Margaret Krome of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, who will moderate the listening session.
“We hope everyone understands how important it is to speak up about the challenges and opportunities on their farms and ranches,” Krome said. “And we hope to hear from a diversity of people and perspectives during the event.”
While all comments shared during the listening session will be submitted to the public docket, participants can also learn how to submit comments directly to the USDA.
The listening session will be framed by the following question: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities over the next 10 to 30 years for optimizing productivity and resilience, strengthening economic viability, and decreasing the negative environmental impacts of the nation's farms and ranches?
Participants will also be asked to weigh in on the following topics per the USDA’s request for input: genome design: precision breeding of crops, livestock and beneficial microbes; digital/automation: advanced field sensors for real-time monitoring of soil moisture, nutrients, crop and livestock condition; software tools and data management: data technology and analytical software tools to inform management decisions; and systems-based farm management: understanding the interaction among components of the farming system.
The session is free and open to the public. For more information and to register, go to https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6640983569168787472.
