At a ceremony held on March 3, 2026, at the Library of Congress, the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) awarded Dr. David L. Ortega the 2025 Borlaug CAST Communication Award for his significant contributions to agricultural science communication. The event also recognized Suraksha Baral as the recipient of CAST’s Science Communication Scholarship.

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) presented the prestigious 2025 Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA) to Dr. David L. Ortega during a ceremony on March 3, 2026, at Madison Hall in the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. The event also marked the announcement of CAST’s Science Communication Scholarship recipient, Suraksha Baral, a Ph.D. student at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Ortega, who serves as a Professor and the Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics and Policy at Michigan State University, was recognized for his exceptional record in translating complex food and agricultural economics research into accessible information for a variety of audiences, including policymakers and the general public.

Over his career, Dr. Ortega has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles, gained nearly 4,000 citations, and provided testimony before U.S. legislative committees. His media presence includes appearances on major outlets like The New York Times and NPR.

CAST CEO Dr. Chris Boomsma praised Ortega's work in helping inform public and political discourse on food systems. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ortega emphasized that understanding food economics is an ongoing responsibility that extends beyond personal achievement.

Meanwhile, Suraksha Baral received a $1,000 scholarship for her initiatives in communicating critical environmental and agricultural data to non-academic audiences. Baral leads the Can Fairy program in Columbus, Ohio, aimed at enhancing community recycling efforts through engaging educational materials.

About CAST

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) is an American nonprofit organization that assembles, interprets, and communicates credible, balanced, science-based information to policymakers, the media, the private sector, and the public. Through its network of scientific societies, companies, and individual members, CAST advances the understanding of food, agriculture, and natural resources.

For more information, visit cast-science.org.

_{^{Image Credit: With kind permission of CAST (Council for Agricultural Science and Technology)}}