During this year’s conversation, FFAR’s Board Chair and President of Mississippi State University Dr. Mark Keenum highlighted FFAR’s unique role and distinct value to food and agriculture research. U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics (REE) Dr. Lauren Stump shared updates on REE’s priorities and commended the FFAR-USDA partnership and collaboration. Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin, FFAR’s executive director, shared examples of FFAR’s impact and discussed FFAR’s critical need for additional federal funding in order to continue research programming in 2027 and beyond. A panel, “Protecting American Agriculture,” featured several FFAR Board Members, including:
- Dave Donnan, Business Leader & Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University
- Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Innovation & Market Integration, International Fresh Produce Association
- Dr. Denise Heard, Vice President of Research Programs, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
- Amb. Kip Tom, Chairman of Tom Farms; Vice Chair of Rural Policy, America First; former U.S. Ambassador
- Polly Ruhland, Principal, PR Consulting, Panel Moderator
At the time of the event, FFAR has awarded 480 grants with a matching ratio of 1:1.4 and invested $852 million in bold food and agriculture research. More information about FFAR’s activities over the past year are available in FFAR’s 2025 Impact Report, Investing in Results for U.S. Agriculture, which highlights recent research breakthroughs.
FFAR received numerous thoughtful public comments from members of the food and agriculture community. All comments were shared with the FFAR Board.
View slides from the event.