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Des Moines, Iowa (May 12, 2014) – The World Food Prize Foundation announced today that Libby Crimmings has joined its staff as a second Director of National Education Programs.
“As we celebrate Norman Borlaug’s centennial year, it is fitting that we also renew our commitment to expanding his programs across the country to inspire the next generation of hunger fighters who will confront global food security issues,” said Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn, President of The World Food Prize Foundation. “Libby is passionate about making a difference in the world, and about engaging our youth. She will be a wonderful asset to the organization.”
Ms. Crimmings will join Keegan Kautzky in expanding The World Food Prize education programs nationally, an effort funded by a grant from The Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition. The goal is to expand The World Food Prize Foundation’s existing education programs and establish new state youth institutes across America to create opportunities for high school students to explore global issues that affect food security and hunger, and develop their own solutions to the most pressing challenges we face. Through these institutes, students are introduced to academic and career paths in agriculture and STEM fields critical to the fight against hunger.
“After working for an organization co-founded by international rock star Bono, there was only one next logical step: working for an organization founded by a different kind of international rock star, Norman Borlaug,” Crimmings said. “ To say this is a dream come true is almost an understatement. Since childhood, I have been aware of The World Food Prize. I am honored and thrilled for the opportunity to continue Norman Borlaug’s passion and legacy by energizing and inspiring youth across the country to believe in and commit to making an impact in the fight against global food insecurity.”
An Iowa native, Ms. Crimmings’s first experience with The World Food Prize was as a middle school student, when her youth choir sang on stage with John Denver at the World Food Prize’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony.
“"I was so overwhelmingly inspired. It was the first time I can remember realizing that amazing things with global impact could start right here in Iowa,” Crimmings said.
Ms. Crimmings was the Midwest Regional Field Director for the ONE Campaign for seven years, leading initiatives to fight extreme poverty and hunger worldwide, and has extensive experience as a community organizer, educator, and artist creatively engaging, educating and mobilizing diverse groups across the country around social, political and economic issues. She also spent this spring as a Legislative Assistant to State Senator Bob Dvorsky.
Ms. Crimmings is active in several organizations in the Des Moines area, including as Founder of Give a Damn Des Moines; serving as the Social and Events Committee Co-Chair for the Young Non-Profit Professionals Network Des Moines; as an active supporter of the Des Moines Social Club; and on the Hunger Task Force for the ELCA SE Iowa Synod. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Iowa State University, and has also studied advertising and art at the Brainco School of Design and Advertising in Minneapolis, and holds a certificate in art therapy from Grand View University in Des Moines.
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE: The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. The Prize was founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, the World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions throughout the world. Thirty-nine laureates have been recognized from Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Israel, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States. The World Food Prize also annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, and several youth education programs including State Youth Institutes, the Global Youth Institute, the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, and the USDA Wallace-Carver Internship to inspire the next generation to explore careers in agriculture and fighting hunger.
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