News Release

September 28, 2020 – Scott Hutchins, Deputy Secretary of the USDA Research, Education and Economics, will be the opening key speaker at the upcoming Translating Visionary Science to Practice ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting. This 100% virtual meeting is hosted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. The meeting will be held Nov. 9-13, 2020; media are invited.

Hutchins’ talk is titled "Science2Practice: Innovate with Purpose."

According to Hutchins, “U.S. agriculture is on a solid foundation with a remarkable track record of increased productivity and enhanced efficiency, building on generations of successful innovations.  As a result, our citizens have access to safe, affordable, and abundant food and fiber, albeit recently tested by a global pandemic. Nonetheless, now is not the time to rest on our laurels.”

“We must double down on the power of converging sciences to create bold new production and sustainability goals to accelerate innovation. It is our responsibility to provide clarity, apply speed, and pivot with agility to address imminent challenges and new opportunities.”

“The USDA Science Blueprint and Ag Innovation Agenda were both designed with these outcomes in mind. As an agricultural-science community, public and private sectors have already accomplished much, but together we must always be obsessed with progress.”

For more information about the Translating Visionary Science to Practice meeting, visit https://www.acsmeetings.org/. Media are invited to attend the conference. Pre-registration by Nov. 2, 2020 is required. Visit https://www.acsmeetings.org/media for registration information.

To speak with one of the scientists, contact Susan V. Fisk, 608-273-8091, sfisk@sciencesocieties.org to arrange an interview.