FFAR’s Dr. LaKisha Odom Selected for Two Prestigious Agriculture Industry Awards

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) Scientific Program Director Dr. LaKisha Odom has been awarded two prestigious agriculture industry awards. The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America (also known as the Tri-Societies) has selected Dr. Odom and FFAR as their 2024 ASA Presidential Award recipient. According to ASA, the award “is given to individuals or teams who have influenced agronomic sciences or crop production practices so greatly that the impact of their efforts will be enduring on future science. The fundamental criterion is that their influence be so lasting and important in agronomic sciences that their impact will be long lasting.” Dr. Odom will receive the award November 11th at the Tri-Societies Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Additionally, the DLG (German Agricultural Society) and Women in Ag Magazine have also selected Dr. Odom as a recipient of the 2024 Women in Ag Award. This international award honors women who have accomplished special achievements in four categories. Odom was selected from more than 100 candidates from 34 different countries as the third-place winner in the Technology and Research category for “her achievements in the development of local, national and international agriculture.” The award ceremony is November 13th in Hanover, Germany at  EuroTier, the world’s leading trade fair for professional animal farming and livestock management. Dr. Odom will accept the award virtually, with pre-recorded acceptance remarks.

Dr. Odom’s work is positioned at the intersection of sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in agriculture, focusing on innovative solutions for sustainable food production and economic viability for producers. She believes diversity drives innovation. Her passion is creating inclusive spaces where all voices contribute to addressing global challenges like climate change, population growth and food security. At FFAR, she leads DEI efforts and research programs that support regenerative farming, healthier food access and diverse farmer adoption of sustainable practices.

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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