Lunch-N-Learn Series

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Session Sponsor:

Title: 

Scaling American Agriculture Innovation From Research To Commercialization 

Description:
The U.S. has long been a global leader in agricultural research and development, providing farmers, ranchers, and foresters with the tools needed to maximize productivity by creating solutions to on-farm challenges. 

Over the last 50 years, as a direct result of federal investments in innovation, tools and technologies have been developed in research labs and further developed and commercialized by industry, resulting in the tripling of U.S. agricultural productivity, while lowering emissions. Despite this incredible success, American investments in agricultural innovation have declined by one-third over the last 20 years, and China is now the world’s leader of agricultural R&D. Today, China’s investments in advancing new agriculture technologies is approximately double the U.S.

Join this lunch briefing to learn about opportunities to reverse this trend. If Congress, USDA, university scientists, and innovative agriculture companies combine talents with research and investments, transformational research can go from a lab  to farmers’ fields across America and the world.

Speakers:

About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:
The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person in Rayburn 2253.

Session Sponsor:

agInnovation

Title: 

A 10-Year Agricultural Research Roadmap For America’s Security And Future

Description:

This session will provide an overview of agInnovation’s transformative Research Roadmap initiative, developed by the nationwide system of agricultural research and state agricultural experiment stations at our nation’s land-grant universities.

The initiative is focused on developing a decadal plan that outlines clear goals and ambitious research outcomes to address some of our most pressing challenges. These challenges include combating climate change, improving water resilience, and ensuring sustainable food systems. Grounded in the principles of national security and aimed at cultivating the next generation of experts, the roadmap sets forth bold and measurable outcome goals. These goals are designed to be achievable through strategic investment and are crucial for the long-term sustainability of our agricultural systems. During the session, George Smith, Chair of agInnovation, will present agInnovation’s Research Roadmap and engage with the audience to gather input from stakeholders. Additional speakers include Dr. Max Teplitski (International Fresh Produce Association Chief Science Officer), Dr. Jeanette Thurston (agInnovation Vice-Executive Chair of agInnovation), and Laura Wood (NCFAR Executive Director).

Speakers:

Dr. George Smith, agInnovation Chair & Director of AgBioResearch at Michigan State University

Dr. George W. Smith is the Chair of agInnovation, a national organization of Land-grant University agricultural research and experiment station directors, and serves as the Director of AgBioResearch, Senior Associate Dean for Research at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Professor of Animal Science at Michigan State University (MSU).

As Chair of agInnovation, Dr. Smith provides strategic leadership and oversight for the nationwide organization of agricultural research directors. Over the past year, he has focused on enhancing partnerships with federal funding agencies and nonprofit organizations, while spearheading the vision and development of the agInnovation Research Roadmap, which is the central focus of this NCFAR Lunch-N-Learn. At MSU, he oversees AgBioResearch, supporting about 300 scientists across seven colleges, 15 research centers, and numerous facilities, all dedicated to advancing food systems and environmental research.

Dr. Jeanette Thurston, agInnovation Vice-Executive Chair & Executive Director of the North Central Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

Dr. Jeanette Thurston is the Vice-Executive Chair of agInnovation, a national organization representing Land-grant University agricultural research and experiment station directors, and she also serves as the Executive Director of the North Central Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors. Before assuming her current roles, Dr. Thurston was the Director of the Food Science Institute and Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs and Faculty Development at Kansas State University. She also spent over 18 years with the USDA, holding leadership positions at USDA-ARS and USDA-NIFA.

Dr. Max Teplitski, Chief Science Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association

Dr. Max Teplitski is a Chief Science Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), where he is responsible for global advocacy and programs in science, ag. technology, supply chain and sustainability. Prior to joining IFPA, Dr. Teplitski was Division Director (Acting) and National Program Leader at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, where he oversaw federal research investment portfolios in produce safety, microbiology and nutrition. An author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Teplitski was a Professor at the University of Florida, where his research and education program focused on comparative and functional genomics of human pathogens to understand their adaptations to survival in non-host environments. Dr. Teplitski served as a Fulbright Specialist in Agriculture (Escuela Politecnica del Litoral), U.S. Embassy Science Fellow, Biotech Outreach Speaker (U.S. Department of State), and G.E. Burch Fellow in Theoretical Medicine (Smithsonian Institution). He is a recipient of J.E. Feeley Award in Recognition of Significant Contributions in Environmental Microbiology, UF-HHMI Science For Life Distinguished Mentor Award, Animal Conservation Award (Lindberg Foundation), and W.E. Krauss Director’s Award for Excellence in Research (Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center). He is also a Courtesy Faculty at the UF Plant Pathology Department. Dr. Teplitski served on (and chaired) UN, federal advisory and industry panels.

Lyndsey Dowell, Spatial Data Science Lead at The Nature Conservancy

Lyndsey Dowell is the Spatial Data Science Lead for the Corporate Engagement team at The Nature Conservancy, focusing on food and water. Lyndsey provides technical science and strategic leadership to global and local spatial planning and prioritization projects to deliver benefits in major agricultural landscapes. Prior to joining TNC, Lyndsey worked at the World Resources Institute where she helped develop the Global Forest Watch Pro tool, a key resource in supply chain risk mapping. She holds a MS in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems from the University of British Columbia and a BA in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia. Her graduate research entailed opportunity evaluation and mapping in agricultural landscapes.

Laura Wood, NCFAR Executive Director

To strengthen opportunities in rural America, Laura draws on over fifteen years of experience in natural resource policy nationwide and trusted partnerships advancing public policy and production agriculture hand in hand. She specializes in strategic project management, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and education and outreach on Capitol Hill and through grassroots engagement, bridging rural and urban networks and finding common ground to benefit multiple constituencies. Her industry experience spans leadership roles in a multinational corporation, ag tech startup, and NGO. Laura attended Kansas State University and George Washington University Law School, where she also served as adjunct faculty in the GWU Department of Political Science.

About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:

The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person at 1302 Longworth House Office Building.

Session sponsor: agInnovation - West, FASS

Solving complex agricultural and food challenges nationally and globally requires capacity building and coordinated, effective efforts among large, transdisciplinary teams involving both research and extension.

The congressionally-requested study on “Enhancing Coordination and Collaboration across The Land Grant System” by an ad hoc study committee (Blue Ribbon Panel) of the National Academies' Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources will help ensure that regional and national investments will continue to provide a critical return on the investment. The study will identify key factors for successful outcomes of coordinated and collaborative projects between colleges and universities in the land-grant system, including those involving historically Black colleges and universities, and other institutions, which address national challenges and global food security. The recommendations included facilitating more multistate research and education projects, coordinating support among faculty and institutes, supporting and rewarding faculty for multistate cooperation, partnering with agencies and businesses, and building capacity for more collaboration.  

One example of this collaborative approach is the multidisciplinary water network supporting collaborative, proactive, science-based decision-making that reconcile dynamic human and natural systems and address complex water issues in the West. Sufficient clean water supplies are vital for economic prosperity and ecosystem function across the western United States. Climate change is increasing average temperatures, water supply variability, and the frequency of long-term drought in the western U.S., exacerbating water scarcity. In its recent Action Plan for Climate Adaptation and Resilience, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) identified threats to water quantity and quality as a major vulnerability and called for increased support for science and broader outreach and education efforts. 

Speakers:

Dr. John McNamara, FASS, Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources, The National Academies

John is Professor Emeritus at Washington State University, and presently a member of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources at the National Academies. He is also the Chair of the Science Policy Committee of FASS and ADSA. His work centered on the genetics and nutritional efficiency of dairy cattle and pigs, and helped to elucidate specific mechanisms of genetics and diet that provide for top efficiency,  basic research that is now applied in genetic selection and feeding. He also created the Companion Animal Program at WSU, and taught the basics and management of pets for 30 years. He is recognized as a Fellow of both ADSA and ASAS for his work, one of only a dozen so honored. He has been involved in science and STEM teacher professional development around the sciences of food production.   Presently he also serves on the Board on Science Education Congressionally mandated (through the CHIPS and Science Act) Select Committee on Rural STEM Education and Workforce Development to make recommendations on programs to support rural STEM and workforce. 

Watch a video recording of Dr. McNamara's presentation here.

Dr. Kristi Hansen, Associate Professor and Extension Water Resource Economist, Dept. of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wyoming

Dr. Kristiana Hansen is an Associate Professor and University of Wyoming Extension Water Resource Economist in the Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Hansen’s current research is in water resource economics and in community adaptation and response to changes in weather and climate variability. Her extension programs seek to inform and improve regional decision-making in water allocation. Several current projects focus on analysis of the risks and impacts of different ways that Wyoming and other upper Colorado River Basin states could meet their obligations to downstream states under the Colorado River Compact. Dr. Hansen contributes to synergistic conversations on western U.S. water management and climate adaptation through her involvement in the Colorado River Research Group, WY-ACT (Wyoming National Science Foundation EPSCoR project on water and climate adaptation), the Western Water Network, and Western Water Assessment (Intermountain West NOAA RISA). Dr. Hansen completed a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis.

Download Dr. Hansen's PPT here.

About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:
 
The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person at 2220 Rayburn House Office Building.

Session sponsor: American Society of Plant Biologists

Gene editing and CRISPR have the potential to transform the food system. Plants developed with these innovative technologies offer a wide range of benefits to consumers and the environment, but questions remain about public acceptance and regulatory frameworks. Learn from the companies who are working to transform the way that we farm and eat and how federal research and public-private partnerships are helping to bring these tools to market.

Dr. Georg Jander, Professor at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, and private sector partners including Dan Jenkins, Pairwise, and Emily Negrin, Inari, will provide an overview of the technology and discuss current opportunities and challenges facing future applications in agriculture. 

Speakers:

Dr. Georg Jander

Boyce Thompson Institute

Georg Jander is a professor at the Boyce Thompson Institute, an independent plant research institute on the campus of Cornell University. His research is focused on investigating the genetic and biochemical mechanisms by which plants defend themselves against insect pests. He is the author of more than 150 publications in this research area. Plants being investigated in the Jander lab include two important crops, maize and potatoes. Another current research interest is the biosynthesis of medically relevant compounds in milkweed and wallflowers.

In addition to running a research lab, Jander leads an undergraduate summer internship program, with funding from the National Science Foundation and the US Department of Agriculture. In the past 20 years, more than 400 students from throughout the United States have come to labs at the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University for ten weeks of intensive plant molecular biology research training. Tracking of former interns shows that 80% continue their studies in graduate school and 70% eventually pursue scientific careers in academia, industry, or government service.

Jander received a BS in Computer Science from Washington University in St. Louis and a PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Harvard Medical School. After two years studying plant-insect interactions at Massachusetts General Hospital, he was employed for four years as a scientist at the Monsanto Company, prior to assuming his current position at the Boyce Thompson Institute in 2002.

Dan Jenkins

Pairwise

Dan Jenkins has 25 years’ experience working in the food and agriculture industry and serves as the Vice President of Regulatory and Government Affairs for Pairwise. Prior to this Dan was the Managing Director and Chief of Staff of the Agricultural Section of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) trade association in Washington DC where he was a registered lobbyist. Dan also led Monsanto’s Regulatory team in Washington DC overseeing all domestic chemistry and biotech crop approvals across FDA, EPA and USDA, and at the beginning of his career, worked in pesticide commercial sales, as well as R&D, for Dow AgroSciences. 

Dan is a past member of the American Chemistry Society’s editorial board for the Agricultural Science and Technology journal, and a current member of the advisory board to North Carolina State University’s Plant Sciences Initiative’s Center of Excellence for Regulatory Science in Agriculture. Dan currently serves as the Chair of the American Seed Trade Association’s Innovation and Policy Committee and has recently published in Nature Plants on the topic of gene editing policy. Dan earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a Master of Science degree in Entomology and Applied Ecology from the University of Delaware and his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.

Emily Negrin

Inari

Emily Negrin is Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Inari, the SEEDesign™ company leveraging A.I. and multiplex gene editing technology with plants to meet the food system needs of the future. Her broad food and agriculture experience helps Emily foster relationships with stakeholders across the value chain to bring forward sustainable solutions from Inari.

Her award-winning work is backed by 20 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, communications and marketing with a focus on the agriculture industry. Fom campaigns that connect consumers to the farms that help put food on their tables, to making cutting-edge technology more understandable throughout the value chain, Emily has built her career around fostering relationships and breaking down complexities. 

Previously, Emily led global marketing and communications for Geosys (now EarthDaily Agro) and worked for the agriculture division of Land O’Lakes, in addition to multiple roles at leading PR/advertising agencies. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism with a public relations emphasis and a business management minor from the University of Minnesota.
 
About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:
 
The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person at 328A Russell Senate Office Building.

Session sponsor: Institute of Food Technologists. 

Federal dietary guidelines continue to emphasize a nutrient-dense diet and consumers are demanding more nutrient-rich foods with minimal processing and fewer ingredients. Heat treatment of foods is often necessary to destroy pathogens and ensure food safety but often results in loss of nutrients. With USDA NIFA support, Dr. Balasubraminan’s lab developed and facilitated the industrial adaptation of a new technology that reduces the need for thermal treatment of beverages while preserving the nutrient content and ensuring food safety. This presentation will discuss the development, scaling, and training conducted with the technology as well as opportunities for further implementation across the food industry.

Speakers:

Professor V.M. Balasubramaniam, Ph.D.
The Ohio State University

Professor V.M. Balasubramaniam, Ph.D., is with the Department of Food Science and Technology and Department of Food Agricultural and Biological Engineering at The Ohio State University. Dr. Balasubramaniam’s laboratory conducts multidisciplinary research for the development and validation of next generation sustainable food processing technologies to enable the development of clean-label foods. With support from USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), his recent research includes the development of a semi-continuous high-pressure method for preserving different dairy and plant protein liquid beverages, sauces, and gels without any chemical preservatives. To learn more about his research visit website https://u.osu.edu/foodsafetyeng/.

About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:

The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person at 1302 Longworth House Office Building.

Session sponsor: Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR).

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships (PPP) to support actionable research addressing global food and agriculture challenges. The PPP model engages farmers, producers, industry and government stakeholders to develop and deliver solutions to problems farmers are facing with a focus on improving profitability. The model also increases investment in agriculture research through a 1:1 match requirement; on average, FFAR garners $1.40 from non-federal sources for every federal dollar spent on research, delivering a powerful return on investment and increasing the value of investment. 

FFAR Executive Director Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin and private sector partners including PepsiCo, Nestle, and the Environmental Defense Fund will discuss the necessity of PPP in driving American research competitiveness.

Speakers:

Saharah Moon Chapotin, Ph.D.

Executive Director, FFAR

Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin joined the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) as the executive director in August 2022.

Chapotin is a plant scientist who is passionate about sharing the importance of plants and agriculture. She has more than 15 years of experience in federal leadership, using science to inform policy and advancing agriculture research. Most recently, Chapotin served as the executive director of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), a position she held from 2018 to 2022. Prior to her role at USBG, Chapotin worked at the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for over 11 years. Chapotin holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanford University and a doctorate in plant physiology from Harvard University.

Dan Christenson

Senior Director of Government Affairs, PepsiCo

Dan Christenson is the senior director for government affairs for PepsiCo. In this role, Christenson leads PepsiCo’s policy engagement with the federal government. Previously, he served at the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 2011 to 2016, where he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy to Secretary Tom Vilsack from 2014 to 2016. Before joining USDA, Christenson served for several years as a Senior Professional Staff Member on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee – first under Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and later for Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. Christenson is a magna cum laude graduate of Luther College, and received his M.A. from Iowa State University.

Meg Villarreal

Manager of Policy and Public Affairs, Nestle

Meg Villarreal is Director of Policy & Public Affairs for Nestlé based in Arlington, VA. Meg has over 20 years of policy and public affairs experience in Washington D.C. and throughout the states. Currently, Meg supports Nestlé’s U.S. policy agenda and creates and maintains stakeholder relationships in policy areas critical to Nestlé’s business including energy, climate change, regenerative agriculture and the environment, the Purina business and state affairs. Before coming to Nestlé, she ran the government affairs shops at J.M Smucker, Big Heart Pet Brands and Del Monte Foods and worked on Capitol Hill.

Nya Osifeso

Manager of Federal Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund

Nya joined EDF as Manager, Federal Affairs in May 2023. She engages lawmakers on Capitol Hill and federal agencies on agriculture policy, as well as other issues related to water policy. Passionate about shaping agriculture policy and promoting environmental justice, Nya previously served as a Communications & Legislative Affairs Associate at the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), where she actively informed legislative constituencies about FFAR's work and process and engaged stakeholders. Prior to joining FFAR, Nya served as the director of legislative affairs & diversity, and communications coordinator at Old Dominion University.

About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:

The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person at 1302 Longworth House Office Building.

Session sponsors: Corn Refiners Association and Institute of Food Technologists. Collaborator: American Society for Nutrition.

Nutrition is central to the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) and 2023 Farm Bill discussions. This session will focus on highlighting foundational nutrition science that informs nutrition policies and farm bill investments.

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) form the foundation of nutrition policy, including the Dietary Guidelines, which inform federal policy through dietary recommendations. Up to date DRIs are needed to ensure the Dietary Guidelines and other nutrition policy is based on the latest science.



Meal patterns are an essential tool to building healthy dietary patterns and dietary guidelines. The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is currently evaluating evidence on the health impacts of dietary patterns and ultra-processed foods to inform their recommendations.

Speakers:

David Klurfeld, former National Program Leader for Human Nutrition at USDA/Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

Dr. Klurfeld is Adjunct Professor in the Indiana University School of Public Health. He retired as National Program Leader for Human Nutrition in the USDA Agricultural Research Service at the end of 2020, where he was responsible for the scientific direction of human nutrition research for 16 years. Prior to government service, he was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Nutrition & Food Science at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan for 12 year. Before that, he was on the faculty of The Wistar Institute and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine for 15 years.

Julie Hess, Research Nutritionist, USDA ARS Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center

Dr. Hess is a Research Nutritionist at the USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Dr. Hess’s research is centered on identifying and evaluating strategies to help Americans meet recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at the University of North Dakota. Dr. Hess received Bachelor of Arts degrees in French and English from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a doctoral degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Minnesota.

About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:

The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person at 1302 Longworth House Office Building.

Session sponsors: American Seed Trade Association and American Society of Plant Biologists.

2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the NSF supported Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP), the landmark research program that supports genome-scale research that addresses challenges of biological, societal, and economic importance. Building on the importance of PGRP is the 2018 Farm Bill authorized Agricultural Genome To Phenome Initiative (AG2PI), which aims to address an increasing global population and multiple environmental stressors on agricultural production through better understanding of how genotype and environment influence phenotype for the complex traits of crops and livestock that are of economic importance to agriculture. 

Speakers:

David Ertl, Iowa Corn

Dr. David Ertl is Director Production Technology with Iowa Corn. David has 39 years of experience working in agricultural research. His career began with DuPont Pioneer working as a Research Manager and corn breeder and later as a Research Director where he managed a team of scientists working in the areas of performance predictability and emerging technologies. David in an inventor on 15 patents.

In his current role with Iowa Corn, he manages contract and funded research projects in both the public and private sectors. Projects include the areas of proprietary biotechnology trait development as well as public genomics and phenomics projects.

Dr. Ertl received his B.S. degree in Agronomy from the University of Connecticut and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Breeding from Iowa State University.

Sue Rhee, Michigan State University

Seung Yon (Sue) Rhee will join MSU as a Full Professor in the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, and Plant, Soil, and Microbes, an MSU Foundation Professor, and Director of MSU’s Plant Resilience Institute.

She has a diverse and interdisciplinary research experience ranging from plant development, plant metabolism, bioinformatics, genomics, and computational modeling. She has extensive leadership, mentoring, and research experience and has trained over 160 scientists, many of whom have achieved leadership positions in academia, government, and industry. 

Rhee received her B.A. in biology from Swarthmore College in 1992 and a Ph.D. in biology from Stanford University in 1997.

About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:

The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person at 1302 Longworth House Office Building.

Session sponsors: Weed Science Society of America, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Extension Committee on Policy, CropLife America, and Syngenta. Collaborators: National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association.

How can research help strike a balance between protecting threatened and endangered species and minimizing impacts to farmers and their crop protection products that produce food, feed, and fiber for the world?

When federal agencies determine that a pesticide might adversely affect a listed species in a given county, farmers in that entire county might be excluded from using that pesticide, even though the listed species or its critical habitat might only occupy a small fraction of that county.

This seminar will reflect on how research by EPA, USDA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service can help address this challenge.

Speakers:

Bill Chism, Weed Science Society of America

Bill is the chair of the Endangered Species Committee of the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA).  Bill grew up working on a vegetable farm in the Salinas Valley of California.  He worked for the University of California extension conducting weed control research on vegetable crops.  After receiving his PhD in Weed Science from Virginia Tech he worked for 10 years for a pesticide registrant.  He spent 21 years at the EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) conducting assessments on the benefits of pesticides to farmers as part of the registration review process.  During his career at the EPA, he was been involved in assessments of over 350 different pesticides.  

Bill received an BS in Entomology from the University of California Davis, a MS in Agriculture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a MS in Plant Physiology at UC Riverside and a PhD in Weed Science at Virginia Tech.  He lives in Frederick County Maryland with his wife, two cats, two dogs, and four horses.  Bill recently won the Public Service Award from the WSSA, and has received numerous awards from the State Department and EPA for his work on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Stanley Culpepper, University of Georgia

Stanley Culpepper is a Professor in the Crop and Soil Science Department at The University of Georgia with a 98% Extension responsibility. A native of North Carolina, he grew up on a bicentennial family farm producing corn, cotton, peanut, soybean, and wheat. He received his BS in Agronomy and his MS and PhD in weed science from N. C. State University. Stanley began his professional career at The University of Georgia as a cotton, vegetable, and small grain weed scientist in 1999, and continues with those responsibilities today. Stanley’s ultimate goal is to develop and share sound science with family farms improving their sustainability.  

Because of Stanley’s efforts, he is a frequent speaker at events across the country. Stanley has been honored to win over thirty awards including the EPA’s Montreal Protocol International Award for assisting in the preservation of the ozone layer. Stanley has also served three terms on the U.S. EPA Agricultural Science Committee Advisory Board and is currently the Past President of the Weed Science Society of America.

About NCFAR’s Lunch-N-Learn Series:

The National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based, and customer-led coalition that brings together food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and natural resource stakeholders to serve as a forum and unified voice supporting increased federal investment in USDA Research, Education, and Economics (USDA REE). NCFAR’s popular "Lunch-N-Learn" series and webinars feature experts from institutions across the country sharing expertise on a wide range of topics to show the value of public investment in food and agricultural research. This event will be held in-person at 1302 Longworth House Office Building.

Series sponsors: Eversole Associates, Extension Committee on Organization & Policy (ECOP), and SoAR Foundation

Investment in scientific and economic research are critical to U.S. agricultural trade and competitiveness in the global marketplace. As a net producer of many agricultural products, the United States helps feed the world.  Likewise, robust trade strengthens America’s agriculture economy as a whole and the many communities that contribute their bounty and talents to it. The U.S. agriculture community, from research institutions to producers to policy makers, are deeply invested in and support a science-based approach to trade and food import policies. Join us to learn more about how USDA research contributes to America’s agriculture leadership and our nation’s ability to navigate the international trade challenges that lie ahead.

Speakers:

Jeanne F. Bailey
Deputy Administrator, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

Mark Slupek
Deputy Administrator, Global Programs
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

Keith Fuglie
Senior Economist
USDA Economic Research Service

Michael Anderson
Vice President, Trade & Industry Relations
Corn Refiners Association

Series sponsors: Eversole Associates, Extension Committee on Organization & Policy (ECOP), and SoAR Foundation

Over the past several decades, wildfire activity in the western United States has increased dramatically. At the same time, many rural communities in the region have become increasingly dependent on outdoor recreation to drive their local economies. This research project investigates relationships between wildfire, outdoor recreation, and rural economic activity in the western U.S. Using ten years of daily data on recreation on federal lands, we analyze the effects of wildfires and wildfire smoke on recreation site use. We then use data on employment in individual business establishments to estimate the effects of wildfires on local economies. The research provides new information on how wildfires and wildfire smoke are driving impacts to recreation-dependent rural communities.

Speaker Biography:

Margaret Walls, Ph.D, is a Senior Fellow with Resources for the Future. Walls’ current research focuses on issues related to resilience and adaptation to extreme events, ecosystem services, and conservation, parks and public lands. Walls’s work on resilience assesses the factors that affect household location decisions in coastal areas, how individuals perceive flood risks, and how risk perceptions affect adaptation decisions. She has estimated the value of natural lands—such as wetlands—in providing protection from hurricanes and flooding, and is assessing the extent to which hurricanes affect U.S. migration patterns.

For more information, visit the RFF website to view the video archive from "Sparking Solutions," a three-part webinar series focused on finding equitable, effective, and workable policies to address the growing threat of wildfires in the United States. 

This Latte-N-Learn webinar was held on September 15 at 10 a.m. eastern and featured USDA Under Secretary Chavonda Jacobs-Young and the leadership at ARS, ERS, NASS, and NIFA . Watch the video archive to learn how USDA's research community is working to advance climate-smart agriculture and nutrition security.

Series sponsors: Eversole Associates, Extension Committee on Organization & Policy (ECOP), and SoAR Foundation

For more than 40 years, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) have provided science-based guidance for healthy eating, yet the quality of American diets has shown limited improvement. In 2021 a diverse group of thought leaders in health, nutrition and food science convened at a workshop hosted by IFT and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, supported by USDA/NIFA, to discuss opportunities to help consumers meet dietary guidelines. Key opportunities identified included advancing food science and technology research and broadening public-private collaborations to develop safe, affordable, and accessible, nutrient dense foods. This webinar will discuss these key recommendations in greater detail and what steps can be taken to advance innovations and empower consumers to make positive shifts towards healthier diets.

Speaker Biography:

Dr. Noel E. Anderson is managing partner of Mosaic Food Advisors LLC which helps start-up companies in the food and beverage arena succeed in the marketplace. Previously, Noel spent 19 years in Research & Development at PepsiCo and 18 years at General Foods/Kraft. 

After receiving his BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Massachusetts in Food Science and Nutrition Noel stayed actively engaged with the Food Science Department. Noel served on its Industrial Advisory Board for more than 20 years, with 16 years as its Chairperson. During this time the department raised over $12 million, and its Graduate Program achieved the #1 ranking in the US. He received the UMass Amherst Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2011. 

Noel is also very active in the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). He currently serves as the 2020-2021 Past President of the 13,000-member association and was elected as an IFT Fellow in 2010. Previously Noel served   as a trustee and then chair of the Board of Trustees for Feeding Tomorrow, IFT’s foundation. 

Noel divides his time between Stamford, Connecticut and Westerly, Rhode Island.

Series sponsors: Eversole Associates, Extension Committee on Organization & Policy (ECOP), and SoAR Foundation

Process food waste is generated by large-scale food producers and is generally comprised of inedible portions of organic matter like fruit and vegetable trimmings, skins and peels, and brewing and wine waste. Diversion of these wastes from the landfill to higher value products can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and give additional value to a once discarded source. Process food waste is rich in carbon and often contain various nutraceuticals or bioactive compounds that can be recovered. Alternatively, the process food waste can be upgraded to methane via anaerobic digestion.           

Speaker Biography:
Dr. Abigail Engelberth is an Assistant Professor in Agricultural and Biological Engineering and in Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue University. She earned a B.S. and M.E. in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Engelberth was a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of Maine and built a process model to emulate the conversion of hemicellulose into liquid fuels via anaerobic digestion. Dr. Engelberth’s research focuses on three sections:  identifying new bioproducts or new sources from which to obtain existing bioproducts; developing methods to recover bioproducts; and modeling the recovery and purification steps in order to effectively scale-up the process.

Series sponsors: Eversole Associates, Extension Committee on Organization & Policy (ECOP), and SoAR Foundation

Climate change is impacting rural America from the arid west to the humid east. America’s agricultural producers are living with intensifying droughts, wildfires, temperature extremes, floods, hail, hurricanes, and reduced winter snowpack all of which increase production risks. Of significance, aquifer levels in arid and semi-arid production regions are no longer meeting crop water demands, and in many cases no longer a viable water source for rural communities. The presentation will address Climate Smart practices that are being investigated in the Texas High Plains and emphasize the impacts of reduced agricultural production on America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.        

Speaker Biography:

Dr. Jourdan Bell is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University in Amarillo, Texas. Dr. Bell’s extension and research efforts focus on agronomic management to improve crop production and profitability on the Texas High Plains. Her extension activities include assisting county extension agents with demonstration trials as well as compiling and presenting results for regional producers through trial reports and county programs. Her research portfolio focuses on crop selection and agronomic practices in sorghum, wheat, cotton, and corn systems on the Texas High Plains in the face of declining regional groundwater levels. Dr. Bell earned her PhD in soil science from Texas A&M University and a M.S. in plant, soil, and environmental science form West Texas A&M University. Dr. Bell is actively involved with the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America as well as Women in Science Endeavors (WISE).

NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer and ERS Administrator Spiro Stefanou 

NIFA Director Carrie Castille & Senior Leadership Team

USDA ARS Associate Administrator Steve Kappes

Ken Olson, FASS
Keith Belk, Professor and Head, Department of Animal Science and Adjunct Professor in the Colorado School of Public Health

Charlie Messina, Corteva Agriscience
Lisa Ainsworth, Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Unit, USDA, ARS

David Baltensperger, Texas A&M University
Zhengxia Dou, University of Pennsylvania
Marty Matlock, University of Arkansas
Debbie Reed, Ecosystem Services
Alex Thomasson, Mississippi State University
Juan Tricarico, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy

Spiro Sterfanou, USDA, ERS Administrator, Washington, D.C.
Herbert Hamer, USDA, NASS Administrator, Washington, D.C.
Barb Glenn, NASDA CEO, Arlington, Virginia

Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA, ARS, Washington, D.C.
Alice H. Lichtenstein, USDA, ARS, Washington, D.C.
Russell W. Jessup, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Carrie Castille, USDA, NIFA, Washington, D.C.
Bret Hess, Western Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, Reno, Nevada
Susan Ballabina, Texas A&M AgriLife, Stephenville, Texas
Jason Henderson, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Vonda Richardson, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida
Alton Thompson, Executive Director, Association of 1890s Research Directors, Tuskegee, Alabama
Brian Kowalkowski, College of Menominee Nation, Keshena, Wisconsin

David Stern, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Samantha Shoaf Miller, Beck's Hybrids, Atlanta, Indiana