Contact
Kiki Hubbard, kristina@seedalliance.org, (406) 544-8946
Jeff Schahczenski, jeffs@ncat.org, (406) 494-4572
Help Shape Future Research and Innovation in U.S. Agriculture
Butte, Montana – The National Center for Appropriate Technology, Organic Seed Alliance, and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition will be hosting a virtual listening session in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) call for input on its Agricultural Innovation Agenda. The listening session will be held on June 30 at 10:00 am PT / 11:00 am MT / 12:00 pm CT / 1:00 pm ET.
Anyone interested in the resiliency, economic viability, and environmental impact of our nation’s farms and ranches is invited to attend the listening session, including farmers, ranchers, researchers, educators, farmworkers, Extension agents, food and seed members, seed growers, and other agricultural stakeholders. The input collected through the event, which will be held in a webinar format, 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,” says Margaret Krome of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, who will be moderating 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 adds. “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 will also be instructed on how to submit their own 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 our nation’s farms and ranches?
Participants will also be asked to weigh in on the following topics per the USDA’s request for input (see Federal Register notice):
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
Systems-based farm management: understanding the interaction among components of the farming system
The listening session is free and open to the public. Learn more and register at the following link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6640983569168787472.
National Center for Appropriate Technology helps people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources.
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.
Organic Seed Alliance fosters organic seed systems that are democratic and just, support human and environmental health, and deliver diverse and regionally adapted seed to farmers.
