Agricultural sciences and education in the 21st century

Rapid, ever-accelerating changes in science and technology will make current educational knowledge and systems obsolete as quickly as we reinvent them. Changes in demographics in our nation and changes in international trade will require us to encourage participation by all Americans, regardless of race or gender. Historically, change in higher education has faced strong resistance, but the establishment of the Land-Grant University system, the G.I. Bill, and other changes have encouraged participation by new groups of Americans. In order to take full advantage of all of the talent necessary to address the needs of a changing world, animal science departments and agricultural colleges must seek new partnerships to enhance recruitment of people from diverse groups, ensure that courses and curricula address the future, and encourage and promote women and minority faculty. Members of the American Society of Animal Science should continue to lead such changes.