#BorlaugBlog
For 30 years, the World Food Prize has worked to build on the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug, the man who saved a billion lives, by recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. Our Laureates, our close partners, and our staff work tirelessly to alleviate hunger through innovative approaches, and we hope to share their expertise, research, and personal stories on The Borlaug Blog.
In the Borlaug Blog, we will occasionally post a blog featuring stories, research, and expert opinion from our Laureates, partners, and staff. It is our hope that this blog series will create a conversation between farmers, NGOs, CEOs and people across the globe.
International in Iowa
By Elena Hildebrandt posted on
01/14/2019
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I have spent my entire life in Iowa, a state largely known for its agriculture. However, I knew very little about food policy or agriculture for much of my life. I attended an urban high school that didn’t have FFA or 4-H. I had always assumed agriculture was a distinctly...
The Unsung Story of How the World Food Prize Promotes the Humanities
By Will Hamilton posted on
01/07/2019
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Most of us brave souls who decide to major in history in college make the decision out of love for the subject, forgoing more ‘sensible’ majors like business, information technology, or the sciences. We know quite well about the bleak job outlook for us historians once we enter the job...
We All Have A Part To Play
By Denny Kelly posted on
12/31/2018
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Like so many others who have had the honor, I remember the day that I met Norman Borlaug.
It was at a large group luncheon at the downtown Marriott during the busy week of the World Food Prize symposium. I knew his schedule was extremely full, but I walked over and...
Lessons in Humility from the Humble Heroes of the World Food Prize
By Kathleen McCracken posted on
12/24/2018
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This year, on the anniversary of Dr. Norman Borlaug’s death, the staff and interns at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates received an email from Amb. Kenneth Quinn about a special memory he has of Dr. Borlaug. Amb. Quinn shared with us the time he and Dr. Borlaug were...
Turning Inspiration into Action, Unforgettable Experience
By Maria A. Martinez and Glen Morris posted on
12/17/2018
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Serving as a pillar of excellence for agricultural appreciation and awareness, the World Food Prize Foundation continues to make strides in its mission to honor those who advance the quality, quantity and availability of food for all on this earth. For three days in October, hundreds of high school students,...
Building and Feeding Our Growing Urban World
By Jayson White posted on
12/10/2018
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In the fall of 2000, just after I earned my degree in philosophy from Iowa State University, a unique opportunity landed in my lap: to become the first Communications Director for the World Food Prize Foundation.
In the early years of Ambassador Kenneth Quinn’s and the Ruan family’s leadership bringing the...
What’s the Future? Seaweed and the Youth!
By Maxime Brandenburg posted on
12/03/2018
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“What is the biggest lesson you have learned in the last few days?” This was the question my group leader asked me on the final day of this year’s World Food Prize Global Youth Institute (GYI). My answer: ”That we can all make a difference.”
Four Dutch students had the opportunity...
Inspired by the Legacy of Norman Borlaug and My Family Farm
By Hans Riensche posted on
11/26/2018
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Six generations ago my family moved from Berenbusch, Germany to a small farm near the town of Jubilee, Iowa, not far from the childhood home of Norman Borlaug. The legacy of my family over the last 150 years has inspired me to pursue a life in agriculture and to use...
The Most Inspiring Week of 2018
By Marloes Ruiter posted on
11/19/2018
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If someone asked you to name the most inspiring moment of 2018, what would it be? The fact that my answer would be the Global Youth Institute in October wouldn’t surprise anyone who has ever participated in this life-changing week. But to mention the most inspiring moment of that week...
Youth are the Future: They Are Also the Present
By Dr. Lawrence Haddad posted on
11/12/2018
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During the recent World Food Prize week in Des Moines, I was invited to give talks to three groups of young people: the Borlaug Fellows, the African Youth Institute, and the Global Youth Institute. I was delighted to do so. The first group was the oldest—early career researchers and policymakers,...