DTN/Progressive Farmer Policy Editor Chris Clayton speaks on the complicated political and scientific dynamic surrounding climate change and its ramifications for agriculture to open the meeting.

The members of the American Soybean Association Action Partnership (ASAAP) met this week in Lake Tahoe, Calif., to discuss a range of issues impacting the soybean industry.

During the two-day meeting, attendees joined in discussions on climate change, biotechnology and consumer perception, drought and changing consumer demographics with leading authorities in each field. DTN/Progressive Farmer Policy Editor Chris Clayton spoke on the complicated political and scientific dynamic surrounding climate change and its ramifications for agriculture to open the meeting Wednesday.

Thursday morning began with a twin presentation on the intricacies of communicating the science surrounding biotechnology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to today's consumer public from Drs. Kevin Folta and Joy Rumble of the University of Florida. Finally, former California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura, California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger and World Food Center Associate Director Dr. Josette Lewis led a panel discussion of the socioagricultural dynamic in California, and what implications that may have for the rest of the country, specifically concerning the state's ongoing drought, rapidly changing demographic and significant economic market size. ASAAP includes a roundtable of ASA and state farmer leaders, members of industry and state and national staff convened to discuss and address the most pressing issues for the soybean industry.