Approximately 175 U of A students, staff and faculty gathered for a forum on genetically modified foods, hosted by Monsanto, Arkansas Farm Bureau and U of A Collegiate Farm Bureau in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences' Hembree Auditorium on Sept. 8.

Vance Crowe, director of millennial engagement for Monsanto Seed, spoke on the basic concept and history of genetically modified foods.

"This present moment was once the unimaginable future," Crowe said. "Generations are only a representation that new ideas are forming."

He said human beings slammed basic genetics together to create the food we know today, and that this generation will deliver the agriculture of tomorrow. 

He said only 11 crops are considered genetically modified in the United States. Crowe addressed misconceptions of genetic modification by defining it as transgenic, or removing a gene from one organism and placing it into the desired crop or animal.

Crowe encouraged the millennial generation to continue to pursue the future. He said to successfully progress in technology, this generation should work toward making these new ideas more competitive rather than being fearful.    

Crowe held a question and answer session following the presentation. One student asked about the issue of Monsanto suing farmers for cross pollination of seeds. He answered by giving the history of the patent Monsanto has on the seed at question and pointed out only 50 farmers have been sued by the company for cross pollination, only four of which continued to the highest level of court.

Another student question was "how do you pursue a career with Monsanto Seed?" Crowe said the company is interested in expanding and growing; jobs are continuously opening with the company.

Following the forum, a dinner was served on the Maudine Sanders Student Plaza and Garden and Hawkins Family Terrace, sponsored by Arkansas Farm Bureau.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.