In a bold move to address the intertwined challenges of agriculture and public health, Washington University in St. Louis has introduced the Food and Agriculture Research Mission (FARM). This pioneering initiative aims to develop practical, scalable solutions that can have a global impact on food production, distribution, and nutrition. The university's leadership emphasizes the urgency of tackling hunger, malnutrition, and environmental degradation, which are pressing issues demanding immediate action.

The new initiative will be headquartered within the recently established School of Public Health, highlighting the critical relationship between agricultural practices and human well-being. The strategic location of WashU in the heart of U.S. agriculture provides unique access to a vast network of plant scientists, biotech companies, and research institutions. This proximity fosters collaboration and innovation, enabling the university to leverage its multidisciplinary expertise in areas such as biology, genetics, engineering, and supply-chain management. By connecting diverse experts and deploying advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, FARM seeks to drive breakthroughs that neither could achieve alone.

Under the leadership of Morven A. McLean, an experienced agricultural scientist with extensive international experience, FARM will focus on building meaningful relationships with farmers, industry leaders, and civil society. McLean's first steps include assessing collaboration opportunities across the university and engaging directly with farmers to ensure that their input shapes the research agenda. She underscores the importance of addressing both immediate and long-term challenges faced by farmers, including climate change, policy changes, and demographic trends. By aligning agricultural priorities with public health needs, FARM aims to reshape food production to combat chronic diseases, obesity, and malnutrition.

Through innovative funding models and competitive grant programs, FARM will support bold thinkers and transformative ideas. The Catalyst Award Competition and the FARM Incubator Fund will provide seed funding to interdisciplinary teams, encouraging high-risk, high-reward projects that bypass traditional academic funding barriers. This approach not only advances scientific discovery but also ensures equitable access to nutritious food for future generations, fostering a healthier and more sustainable world.