Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum has devoted his professional life to agriculture and meeting the critical challenges of our growing world. Dr. Keenum’s keynote will include highlights from his distinguished career as a leader in agricultural policy and higher education and important lessons he has learned along the way — from the fields of the Mississippi Delta to the halls of the United States Capitol. He will also provide an assessment of the current state of affairs in food security, advanced technology, and the essential role of the modern land-grant university in solving complex problems and developing the future leaders we need.