Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research Hires Dr. Jeffrey Rosichan, to Oversee Crops of the Future Collaborative Efforts to Meet Future Food System Challenges

New Director brings Industry Experience and Crop Development Expertise.

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, a nonprofit established through bipartisan congressional support in the 2014 Farm Bill, today named Dr. Jeffrey Rosichan director of the Crops of the Future Collaborative. Effective immediately, Rosichan is overseeing the Collaborative, a multi-partner consortium established by FFAR in 2017.

Rosichan reports directly to FFAR Executive Director Dr. Sally Rockey, Ph.D. He will work closely with the full Crops of the Future Collaborative executive committee, composed of one representative from each of its Founding Partner organizations, to build the Consortium’s research partnerships and projects. Acting Crops of the Future Collaborative Director Dr. John Reich will continue in his current role of Scientific Program Director at FFAR.

The Crops of the Future Collaborative, made up of eight partner organizations and administered by FFAR, funds research to accelerate development of crops that benefit humanity now and in the future by increasing our understanding of the relationship between crop traits, the underlying biology of these traits and the environment.

Rosichan was selected for the role based on his unique combination of scientific research, industry leadership and multi-stakeholder partnership building experience. His knowledge and experience of how to drive results from the early stages of research to commercialization will be key assets as he directs research projects funded by the Crops of the Future Collaborative.

Most recently, Rosichan founded a consulting company leveraging his expertise in precision plant breeding, genetics, molecular biology and other areas of science to support agriculture startup companies in planning, venture capital fundraising and product development.

Rosichan previously spent six years at Dow AgroSciences, where he was responsible for building and managing external research collaborations with domestic and international companies and universities focusing on a range of topics including plant breeding and genomics.

“I’m excited to join the team at FFAR and honored to work with the Crops of the Future executive committee to develop and deliver novel, science-based solutions to help solve current and future food challenges,” said Rosichan.

Rosichan received his Ph.D. in genetics and cell biology and his M.S. in genetics from Washington State University.

###

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.

Connect: @FoundationFAR | @RockTalking