Scott Hutchins, chief scientist and undersecretary for research, education and economics with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will speak on “Advancing Agricultural Innovation” in an April 28 Heuermann Lecture.
The event on East Campus will take the form of a “fireside chat” with Tiffany Heng-Moss, Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the University of Nebraska system.
The event will be at 3 p.m. in the Great Plains Room of the Nebraska East Union, with a reception at 4:30 p.m.
In his Senate-confirmed position, Hutchins directs operations and strategic management for a set of major USDA components including the Agricultural Research Service, which has longstanding research partnerships with IANR. His mission area also includes the Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Office of the Chief Scientist.
Hutchins has a strong background in institutional strategic planning in government and the private sector. In his previous role as USDA deputy undersecretary, he led the creation of the USDA Science Blueprint and the U.S. Ag Innovation Strategy. Before joining USDA, he was the global research and development leader for Dow Agrosciences, now CortevaTM Agriscience.
Hutchins holds a doctoral degree in entomology and is a past president of the Entomological Society of America. He is an adjunct professor with UNL’s Department of Entomology.
The Heuermann Lecture series in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources focuses on providing sustainability in the areas of food, natural resources and renewable energy for people, as well as securing the sustainability of rural communities where the vital work of producing food and renewable energy occurs.
The series is made possible through a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, Nebraska, as an enduring commitment to Nebraska’s production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people. Learn more.
