On behalf of APLU's Office of Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources, thank you for helping showcase the research, education, and Cooperative Extension impacts of APLU's Board on Agriculture Assembly 120 member institutions. This month’s toolkit highlights themes and priorities featured in previous toolkits, the “Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs” interviews series, and the National Land-Grant Impacts Database (NIDB). 

Together, these resources demonstrate how public and land-grant universities contribute to a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous nation.

• Create and deliver practical solutions for farmers, families, and communities
• Accelerate innovation and emerging technologies
• Strengthen food and agricultural systems
• Safeguard animal and plant health
• Protect soil, water, and other natural resources
• Develop a skilled workforce and future leaders
• Advance human health and nutrition
• Enhance national security
• Drive economic growth and rural prosperity

The National Land-Grant Impacts Database (NIDB) is the nation’s most extensive repository of the land-grant system’s collective impacts statements in research, education, and Extension. It serves as a comprehensive and important resource for the land-grant system to tell their stories. 

“Growing Together: Conversations with CEOs” showcases Presidents and CEOs of national agricultural associations, commodity groups, and other organizations and explores their powerful synergies with land-grant universities. Through conversations with leaders, this interview series examines how organizations strengthened their impact in partnerships with Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ research, education, and Cooperative Extension. These interviews (June 2025 – July 2026) also highlight emerging opportunities to leverage collaboration, drive innovation, and serve all Americans.

• Terry Baker, CEO, Society of American Foresters
• Gary Adams, President and CEO, National Cotton Council of America 
• Neil Caskey, CEO, National Corn Growers Association 
• Christy Seyfert, President and CEO, Farm Credit Council 
• Colin Woodall, CEO, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 
• Krysta Harden, President and CEO, U.S. Dairy Export Council 
• Adam Putnam, CEO, Ducks Unlimited 
• Waded Cruzado, President, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities 
• Saharah Moon Chapotin, Executive Director, Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research 
• Andrew LaVigne, President and CEO, American Seed Trade Association 
• Steve Censky, CEO, American Soybean Association 
• Ted McKinney, CEO, The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture 
• Jill Bramble, President and CEO, National 4-H Council 
• Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation 

We hope this collection serves as a useful resource in your own communications efforts. Thank you for showcasing the people, partnerships, and programs that make these impacts possible. As always, we welcome your feedback.