World Food Prize Foundation
2025 Borlaug Dialogue
October 21-23, 2025 | Des Moines, Iowa
SOILutions for Security
The 2025 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue convened under the theme SOILutions for Security, underscoring the foundational role that agriculture plays in sustaining global stability.
As the world’s population rises and new challenges strain food systems, a global consensus is taking root: soil is more than dirt—it is a dynamic, living system that underpins human survival. In an era of economic disruption, conflict and environmental stress, the Borlaug Dialogue examined how diverse industries and sectors can unite to address these challenges from the ground up.
Voices rose from across continents: smallholder farmers rejuvenating their land, scientists harnessing advanced soil analytics and innovators scaling regenerative practices. Through its signature conversation-style and call-to-action format, the Borlaug Dialogue created a space for interdisciplinary learning and cross-sector partnerships aimed at driving change.
Rooted in the legacy of Dr. Borlaug and the mission of the World Food Prize Foundation, the 2025 conference sparked thoughtful deliberation, catalyzed meaningful partnerships and championed context-driven solutions that reflect local needs and global priorities. Enduring solutions for food, nutrition, water and energy security are grounded—quite literally—in the soil beneath our feet.
Agenda with Transcripts & Videos
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Meet Me at the Dialogue Welcome and Networking Reception
Hilton Des Moines Downtown Hotel
Virtual
This exciting networking event, complemented by hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and an inspiring atmosphere, is designed to spark new connections.
8:30 a.m. – 8:35 a.m. | Borlaug Dialogue Opening Ceremony
8:35 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Opening Keynote: Wine to Water | Video | Transcript
Doc Hendley | Founder and President, Wine to Water
9:15 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. | Legacy of Leadership: Driving Global Humanitarian Solutions | Video | Transcript
Valerie Guarnieri | Assistant Executive Director, Programme Operations, World Food Programme
9:25 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. | Legacy Through Partnerships: Scaling Impact Together | Video | Transcript
Facilitator: Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn | President Emeritus, World Food Prize Foundation
Jason Brantley | Vice President of Production Systems, Small Ag & Turf, John Deere
Valerie Guarnieri | Assistant Executive Director, Programme Operations, World Food Programme
Chris Nelson | 2024 Top Agri-food Pioneer and President and Chief Executive Officer, Kemin Industries
Kathy Pickus | Chief Sustainability Officer, ADM
9:50 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. | C-Suite Connect Series | Video | Transcript
Introduction: Ben McLean | Chief Executive Officer, Ruan Transportation Management Systems
Rodrigo Santos | Member, Board Management and President, Crop Science Division, Bayer Ag
10:05 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Peace on the Plate: A Legacy of Security | Video | Transcript
Facilitator: Cary Fowler | 2024 World Food Prize Laureate and President, Food Security Leadership Council
Ismahane Elouafi | Executive Managing Director, CGIAR
Sir Richard Roberts | 1993 Nobel Prize Laureate and Chief Science Officer, New England BioLabs
Johan Swinnen | Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute
Michael Werz | Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | C-Suite Connect Series | Video | Transcript
Introduction: Han Chen | 2024 Top Agri-food Pioneer and Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ZeaKal
Trevor Hohls | Global Head of Seeds Research and Development, Syngenta
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Growing Generational Legacies | Video | Transcript
Isaac Vosburg | World Food Prize Foundation Youth Programs Alum and Student, Grinnell College
Zachary Thomas Vosburg | World Food Prize Foundation Youth Programs Alum and Veterinarian, Hampton Veterinary Center
12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Soy Strong: A Legacy in Every Legume | Video | Transcript
Facilitator: Tania Karas | Senior Editor, Devex
Morey Hill | Farmer, United States and Director, American Soybean Association
Meagan Kaiser | Farmer, United States and Past Chair, United Soybean Board
Randy Miller | Farmer, United States and Board Member, U.S. Soybean Export Council
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | From Policy to Progress: A Diplomatic Legacy | Video | Transcript
Facilitator: Gebisa Ejeta | Chair, World Food Prize Selection Committee, 2009 World Food Prize Laureate and Distinguished
Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University
Hon. Henry Musa Kpaka | Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Government of Sierra Leone
Hon. Eric Opoku | Minister of Food and Agriculture, Republic of Ghana
Beth Dunford | International Development Sector Executive and Former Vice President, African Development Bank Group
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Meals that Matter: Humanitarianism and Innovation on the Front Burner | Video | Transcript
José Andrés | Humanitarian, Culinary Innovator, Educator and New York Times Bestselling Author
Thomas J. Vilsack | Chief Executive Officer, World Food Prize Foundation
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | From Herd to Horizon: Sustainability Through Innovation | Video | Transcript
Facilitator: Jennifer Carrico | Senior Livestock Editor, DTN/Progressive Farmer
Jason Brantley | Vice President of Production Systems, Small Ag & Turf, John Deere
Sanjeev Kapoor | 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneer, Culinary Icon, Humanitarian and Entrepreneur
Patience Koku | Farmer, Nigeria and Regional Lead Africa, Global Farmer Network
Dennis Rodenbaugh | President and Chief Executive Officer, Dairy Farmers of America
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Innovating the Future, Now | Video | Transcript
Facilitator: Isis Almeida | Bureau Chief, Bloomberg Chicago
Chris Abbott | Chief Executive Officer, Pivot Bio
Jason Cope | 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneer and Founder and Chief Intellectual Property Officer, PowerPollen
Beth Dunford | International Development Sector Executive and Former Vice President, African Development Bank Group
Stephanie Smith | Senior Vice President Growth Segments, Mastercard
11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Innovators of the Future: Recognizing the 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) | Video | Transcript
Jan Low | 2016 World Food Prize Laureate and TAP Cohort Mentor
Per Pinstrup-Andersen | 2001 World Food Prize Laureate and TAP Cohort Mentor
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Fields of Renewal: Innovation for Soil, Ecosystem and Security | Video | Transcript
Facilitator: Simon Heck | Director General, International Potato Institute
Neil Bentley | Vice President, Market Management, Agricultural Solutions, North America, BASF
Violet Grgich | President, Grgich Hills Estate Winery
Rattan Lal | 2020 World Food Prize Laureate and Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Lal Carbon Center, The Ohio State University
Paul Temple | Farmer, United Kingdom and Chair, Global Farmer Network
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Recipe for Innovation: Nourishing People, Sustaining Planet | Video | Transcript
Sanaa Abourezk | Chef and Restaurateur, Sanaa’s Gourmet Mediterranean
Sanjeev Kapoor | 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneer, Culinary Icon, Humanitarian and Entrepreneur
Ty Newnham | Chef, Chefs’ Manifesto
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Innovate for Impact Challenge | Video | Transcript
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | In Her Own Words: A Laureate’s Journey | Video | Transcript
Introduction: Usha Barwale Zehr | Chairperson and Executive Director, Grow Indigo
Mariangela Hungria | 2025 World Food Prize Laureate and Researcher, Embrapa National Soybean Center
Marcelo Teixeira | Commodities Reporter, Reuters News
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Outstanding in HER Field: Women Trailblazers Shaping the Future | Video | Transcript
Facilitator: Swati Nayak | 2023 Borlaug Field Award Recipient and Scientist, International Rice Research Institute
Linda Kinkel | 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneer and Chief Science Officer, Jord BioScience
Sandra Cristina Kothe Milach | Chief Scientist, CGIAR
Esha Venkat | Founder and Chief Operating Officer, NEST4US
10:15 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. | C-Suite Connect Series | Video | Transcript
Brian Sikes | Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Cargill
Wendy Wintersteen | Member, World Food Prize Foundation Board of Directors and President, Iowa State University
10:35 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. | Announcement: David Lambert Scholarship Recipient
Manjit Misra | Professor of Practice and Fellow, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
10:40 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. | A Life, A Legacy: The Leadership and Vision of John Ruan III | Video | Transcript
Introduction: Rachel Ruan McLean | Vice Chair, World Food Prize Foundation Board of Directors
Cynthia Hardin Milligan | Member, World Food Prize Foundation Board of Directors and President and Chief Executive Officer, Wood-Stieper Capital Group
10:50 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Laureate SOILutions: Cultivating Change, One Field at a Time | Video | Transcript
Facilitator: Paul Schickler | Chair, World Food Prize Foundation Board of Directors and Owner, III Ag
Mariangela Hungria | 2025 World Food Prize Laureate and Researcher, Embrapa National Soybean Center
Leonardus Vergütz | Chief Scientific Officer, OCP Nutricrops
11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | LOL-aureate: A Youth Alum’s 10-Minute Take | Video | Transcript
Donald Gee | World Food Prize Foundation Youth Programs Alum and Comedian
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | A Laureate’s Leadership and Legacy | Video | Transcript
H.E. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang | Vice President of the Republic of Ghana
Hon. Akinwumi Adesina | President, African Development Bank (2015-2025), 2017 World Food Prize Laureate and Member, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors
Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn | President Emeritus, World Food Prize Foundation
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Closing Session: From Inspiration to Implementation
Thomas J. Vilsack | Chief Executive Officer, World Food Prize Foundation
