Investing in research and rethinking innovation are key to global food security

Agriculture's future de­­pends not only on new research and technology but also on rethinking how innovation happens, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack told attendees recently during the 2025 Ag Innovators Unconference focusing on fueling global agricultural impacts through innovation.

Now in its ninth year, the event was held at the Digital Innovation Lab at Iowa State University under the theme 'Building Global from the Ground Up.' More than 100 entrepreneurs, investors and ag professionals gathered to discuss how to build resilient businesses and invest in innovative projects, while hearing from representatives of successful ag companies including Solinftec and PowerPollen.

Vilsack, now serving as the chief executive officer of the World Food Prize Foundation, said innovation has often been defined by the...