The Breeding Insight working group received the prestigious 2024 Agricultural Secretary’s Honor Award during the USDA’s 74th Secretary’s Honor Awards ceremony on January 10, 2025. This accolade, the highest non-monetary award bestowed by the USDA, was presented at the Thomas Jefferson Auditorium at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event’s theme, “Honoring the Extraordinary: Celebrating Historical Milestones and Transformational Achievements at USDA,” highlighted significant contributions across six award categories. Breeding Insight was recognized in the fourth category, “Award for Providing All Americans Safe, Nutritious Food,” for developing tools for accelerated breeding of 27 crops and animals grown on U.S. farms, ensuring the profitability of American producers.
