The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine have provisionally appointed University of Nebraska–Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green to a blue ribbon panel to investigate how land-grant institutions can help U.S. agriculture overcome new competitive challenges, pressures on environmental systems and consumer demands.

The ad hoc study committee, which includes representatives from land-grant universities, colleges, state governments and historically Black colleges and universities, will explore how to increase the impact of land-grant research, education and extension with enhanced coordination, collaboration and integration. In establishing the panel, the academies acknowledge the role land-grant institutions play in addressing national challenges and global food security.

“For generations, land-grant institutions like the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have provided agriculture with the latest research and the best information throughout countless changes in the industry,” Green said. “With agriculture facing unprecedented changes relating to climate, population growth and the economy, land-grant institutions will need to up their game. I am honored to be part of this group identifying the very best coordination and collaboration practices to enhance the impact of land-grant research.”

Green is one of 12 members chosen for the panel, and the only university chancellor or president. They were selected based on their expertise, deep knowledge of the history and function of the land-grant system, and to represent the geographical and institutional diversity of the land-grant system, including large, medium and small universities and colleges established as land-grant institutions.

This website provides biographical information about the provisional appointees and an opportunity to submit public comment.

By July 5, 2022, the committee is to prepare a report recommending actions to enhance the success and impact of inter-institutional activities. Because the panel is to work under a compressed timeline, it will focus on case studies from previous Multistate Research and Extension Activities, Coordinated Agricultural Projects of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative and other regional initiatives involving research, education and extension.

Selected case studies are to be used as guidance for a framework of principles for fostering successful coordination and collaboration among land-grant institutions to achieve outcomes such as meeting national priorities, building human resource capacity, supporting commercial innovation and creating economic, environmental and social benefits. Before issuing its final report, the committee will present a conceptual overview of its framework of principles to stakeholders during a multi-day virtual workshop early in 2022. The workshop will be open to the public.