By Blake Jackson
The Cornell University Breeding Insight Platform Team received the prestigious 2024 USDA Secretary Honor Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on January 10, 2025.
Tim Rinehart, National Program Leader, accepted the award on behalf of the team, recognized for their significant contributions to ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for all Americans.
The USDA Honor Awards program, a hallmark of excellence in agriculture, recognizes outstanding achievements aligned with the Department's mission.
This highest non-monetary award underscores the Breeding Insight team's dedication to advancing sustainable food production and agricultural innovation.
Established in 2018 by the USDA-ARS, Breeding Insight (BI) supports USDA-ARS breeders in implementing genomic insights and selection for specialty crop and livestock breeding.
BI develops genomic, phenomic, and data management tools to enhance genetic gains and programmatic outputs, tailored to each breeding program's objectives.
The 2024 Secretary’s Honor Awards, themed "Honoring the Extraordinary," celebrates groundbreaking accomplishments that advance USDA's strategic goals.
This recognition highlights the Breeding Insight team's commitment to transforming agricultural breeding practices and ensuring future food security.
Their work empowers breeders with cutting-edge technology and data-driven strategies, leading to more efficient and effective breeding programs. This ultimately contributes to a more sustainable and resilient food system for all.
Photo Credit: cornell-university
Categories: New York, Education, Government & Policy