Keynote Address:

 A New Era of Agriculture

 Orville G. Bentley
 Assistant Secretary for Science and Education
 U.S. Department of Agriculture

 It is an honor to represent my colleagues in the Science and Education agencies of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and Secretary Block at this 20th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society here in St.
Croix. Secretary Block has asked me to bring his special greetings to your group, and I am pleased to read this
statement from him now.
 Program planning and coordination are critical steps in developing a sound, effective system of research,
teaching, and extension education in agriculture and our food production system. Our system of publicly-sup-
ported programs in agricultural research is a joint undertaking, involving the federal, state, and local govern-
ments. This week-long conference is an outstanding demonstration of the vitality of this approach and of its
dedication to public service. These efforts are made all the more impressive when they include active and viable
linkages to the private sector as well. We salute the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Extension Service, the
College of the Virgin Islands, and members of the Caribbean Food Crops Society on their past contributions
and the leadership these groups are giving to agriculture in the Caribbean Basin Region.
 I want to say that this cooperative effort involves several agencies of the Department of Agriculture, includ-
ing, of course, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS), and undoubtedly others.
 True, these occasions are for reflection, and perhaps a bit of self-indulgence on our part. But most important-
ly, this is a time for a realistic stock-taking and a time to direct our thoughts to the future and the opportunities
and challenges it holds.
 My personal involvement with the programs in the Caribbean region is limited, but I did have the oppor-
tunity to work with the fine people at the College of Agriculture at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez.
This was when I was Dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Illinois.
 The University of Puerto Rico was a partner with Illinois University in the International Soybean Research
Program (INTSOY) and provided a valuable tropical and semi-tropical component for the program. One of the
side benefits of this program to me was the opportunity to know and work with Chancellor Sol Alemany and
Dean Ayala.


VOL. XX-PROCEEDINGS of the CARIBBEAN FOOD CROPS SOCIETY