Panel Discussion and Questions.

In the context of declining public funding for agronomic research, outreach, and education at U.S. land-grant institutions and the points made by the symposium's previous speakers, a moderated panel of crop producers will be asked to provide their opinions on (i) the potential ramifications of this funding trend for domestic and international crop producers and (ii) the actions necessary for addressing the human resource needs (people), intellectual capital creation (research), agronomy/crop/soil management technologies, and associated issues posed by this looming challenge. Panelists will be asked to suggest agronomic strategies needed in the coming decades for complementing crop genetic gains, sustaining the natural resource base, protecting environmental resources, and overcoming barriers to world food, fiber, feed and fuel production. Questions and comments from the audience are strongly encouraged.