Topics

Food Production

Ensuring a secure and sustainable food supply requires innovation across agricultural systems. The National Academies examine how science, technology, and policy can improve food production efficiency, resilience, and access while reducing environmental impact.

What's happening

Guidance for Federal Conservation Programs on PFAS on Agricultural Lands Offered in New Report

News Release

A new report examines the scope of PFAS challenges in agriculture and identifies steps that land conservation agencies at the U.S. Department of Agriculture could take to reduce the impacts of these “forever chemicals” on natural resources and agricultural productivity.

Feb 13, 2026

A wheat harvest in Brownsburg, Indiana (NRCS photo by Brandon O’Connor)

Why are native seeds important?

Based on Science

Native plants provide the foundation for environments to support pollinators (like bees), butterflies, birds, and other life above and below ground. However, the supply of native seeds to restore and conserve ecosystems often falls short of demand.

May 22, 2025

Pictured: Dornith Doherty, Sunflowers, 2009, dye coupler lenticular photograph, 29.75 x 48.5 inches. Permanent collection of the National Academy of Sciences. This print was part of the exhibition, Dornith Doherty: Archiving Eden, presented at the National Academy of Sciences in 2019.

Do foods made with GMOs pose special health risks?

Based on Science

There is no validated evidence that foods made from GMOs are less healthy than non-GMO foods.

May 2, 2022

Featured work

Assistance to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Building a Framework for Addressing PFAS on Agricultural Land

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action

Seminar/Webinar/Lecture

In Progress

A crowd during an event at the NAS building.

Stronger Food and Drug Regulatory Systems Abroad

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Science Breakthroughs 2030: A Strategy for Food and Agricultural Research

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Grand Challenges and Opportunities in Environmental Engineering for the Twenty-first Century

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Improving Data Collection and Reporting about Agriculture with Increasingly Complex Farm Business Structures

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Advancing Understanding of the Implications of Environmental-Chemical Interactions with the Human Microbiomes

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Methods for Integrating Multiple Data Sources to Improve Crop Estimates

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Sustainability Considerations for the Future of Animal Agriculture Science Research

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

An Analysis of the Requirements and Alternatives for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory Capabilities

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Featured Publications

Safeguarding the Food Supply: Integrating Diverse Risks, Connecting with Consumers, and Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Proceedings of a Workshop

Proceedings

2025

China-U.S. Scientific Engagement: Food Systems and Sustainability: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief

Proceedings

2025

Communication to Bridge the Gap Between Food Production and Nutrition and Health: Proceedings of a Workshop

Proceedings

2024

Safeguarding the Food Supply: Integrating Diverse Risks, Connecting with Consumers, and Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief

Proceedings

2025