How about input prices linked to outcomes? Supporters say it could be another tool for farmers to offset financial risk at a time when weather, trade, and commodity price uncertainty are plaguing the market.

Beth Bechdol is now the deputy director general at Food and Agriculture Organization, and ACSESS has tapped Nick Goeser to serve as CEO.

Private-sector funding of agricultural research has been growing quickly in recent years, but that does not diminish the importance of using public money to support advances in farming, a panel of experts said at a Farm Foundation forum at the National Press Club Wednesday.