Giles to Speak at World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue


Danforth Center President Giles Oldroyd, PhD, will speak at the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue this October in Des Moines. Under the theme of Before Hunger Wins, this gathering will convene scientists, policymakers, farmers, business leaders and innovators working to advance global food security. Read more.

RiverVest’s Derek Rapp Named Danforth Center COO


The Danforth Center recently announced the appointment of Derek Rapp as Chief Operating Officer. A familiar presence in the St. Louis community, Rapp joins the Danforth Center from RiverVest Venture Partners, where he served as a managing director, and brings more than four decades of executive leadership. Read more.

A Smarter Way to Sorghum 


A new study from the Danforth Center, published in Frontiers in Plant Science, demonstrates how regenerative farming practices combined with advanced analytics can accelerate the evaluation of grain traits and performance. This information can help make the farming of sorghum, a climate-resilient crop, faster and more cost-effective. Read more.

Rooted in Community


Partners make our progress possible. And since 2020, CoBank has been one of our most impactful—investing both their time and their money to support us in our mission. Their efforts have helped bring about new plant science research, science education, and agricultural innovation here in St. Louis. Read more.

Remembering Peter Raven


Dr. Peter H. Raven, president emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden and one of the great botanical minds of the 20th century, died last month on April 25. He was 89. For the Danforth Center community, his passing carries particular weight: Peter Raven helped make this institution possible. Read more.

Future Forward: Sustain the Earth


We must act now to protect our planet. Through our Future Forward campaign, we aim to accelerate our efforts to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient so that we preserve our natural world for future generations. Learn more about our work to sustain the Earth.

Events: Party with the Plants | September 25 


Party with the Plants is back! Hosted by our Young Friends, this fundraising celebration is a good time for a good cause—featuring hands-on science, raffles, and much more. This year’s theme: Plants After Dark. Early bird tickets available now. Get your discount today!

To All Who Gave


Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Danforth Center for Give STL Day (May 7). As federal scientific funding remains uncertain, your generosity is more meaningful than ever. Missed your chance to participate? You can still support our mission by making a Future Forward gift today.

Giles on the Air

The Big Algae Discovery