site-logo

CQuest

    October 24, 2016-October 25, 2016
    9:00 am - 5:30 pm
    Hillman Hall, Washington University
    St. Louis, MO, USA

The Agriculture & Food Systems Institute, together with Monsanto Company, Soil Health Partnership, Washington University in St. Louis, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture, organized a two-day workshop in October 2016 focusing on developing research targets for supporting agricultural goals that: support achievement of USDA’s “building blocks” for climate smart agriculture; integrate existing US Midwest field research networks for climate adaptation; and develop a research agenda to achieve a “carbon-neutral” agri-food system in the US through a focus on soil carbon and soil health, including validation of soil carbon protocols.

Speakers

Dr. Nick Goeser
Soil Health Partnership
Mr. William Hohenstein
US Department of Agriculture
Dr. Mike Lohuis
Monsanto Company
Dr. Suzanne Lutfalla
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)
Dr. Chris Novak
National Corn Growers Association
Dr. Himadri Pakrasi
I-CARES
Dr. Keith Paustian
Colorado State University
Dr. Bob Reiter
Monsanto Company
Dr. Charles W. Rice
Kansas State University
Dr. Sally Rockey
Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
Dr. Barbara Schaal
Washington University and the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences

Program

The workshop covered several topics, including:

  • C-Quest: The Climate Research Challenge for Agriculture
  • USDA’s Building Blocks for Climate-Smart Agriculture
  • Integrating US Midwest Field Research Networks for Climate Adaptation
  • Achieving a “Carbon-Neutral” Agri-Food System through Soil Health
  • Private Sector Perspective on the Urgency of the Climate Research Challenge for Agriculture

Agenda

Keynote: C-Quest: The Climate Research Challenge for Agriculture
Dr. Charles W. Rice, Kansas State University

USDA’s Building Blocks for Climate-Smart Agriculture 
Mr. William Hohenstein, US Department of Agriculture

Integrating US Midwest Field Research Networks for Climate Adaptation 
Dr. Nick Goeser, Soil Health Partnership

Achieving a “Carbon-Neutral” Agri-Food System through Soil Health
Dr. Keith Paustian, Colorado State University

Private Sector Perspective on the Urgency of the Climate Research Challenge for Agriculture
Dr. Robert Reiter, Monsanto Company

“4 per 1000” – Carbon Sequestration in Soils for Food Security and Climate
Dr. Suzanne Lutfalla, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)

News Release

“Soil Health Key Topic of Landmark Climate-Smart Agriculture Meeting”
Heavy-hitters in ag, environment join forces for course-charting event in St. Louis
View the Soil Health Partnership New Release about CQuest here.

“Soil Health Tops Summit Agenda in St. Louis”
Seven “powerhouse” sponsors recently coordinated a St. Louis agricultural seminar focusing on techniques to strive for progressive and climate-smart agricultural practices throughout the farming industry.
View the Crop Protection News Report Article about CQuest here.

“Steps to Reduce Farming’s Carbon Footprint May Also Boost Production”
Experts say farming practices that lead to carbon neutral food production can also contribute to higher production.
View the Brownfield Ag News for America Article about CQuest here.

“Increasing Carbon Sequestration in Soils”
What could climate change mean for ag?
View the Sustainable Agricultural Innovations and Foods Blog Post about CQuest here.