The Borlaug Blog

“Who’s that statue in the park in downtown Cresco?” I asked a native of Cresco, Iowa.  “That’s Norman Borlaug.  He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, and he’s from here,” was the reply.  Really, I thought.  I’d never heard of him.  I was just beginning my teaching career in Norman’s home town in 1975 and actually taught in the same buildings where Norm spent his high school years. Little did I know then that this man’s history would be such an important part of my life.
 
Today, 40-plus years later, it’s my honor to be a part of the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation.  Started by Dr. Borlaug in 2000, our foundation is made up of volunteers dedicated to the preservation of the birthplace and boyhood farms where Norm-boy grew up.  We are also dedicated to providing educational opportunities that promote the humanitarian work that epitomized Norm’s life. 
 
It is here, on this Norwegian farmstead in northeast Iowa, that Norm played, worked and learned about agriculture firsthand.  It is where he gained his untiring work ethic and values. It is the one room schoolhouse where that sense of community and teamwork were etched in his being.  His sister Charlotte told how the family all sensed at an early age that Norm was destined to do something great with his life.  She said he had a fascination of how living things worked and was always asking questions. There was an inner drive present in him that set him apart from others his age.
 
I first met Norman Borlaug at his boyhood farm in October of 2002.  He was there to help the new foundation raise money to restore the 1922 Sears home where he was raised.  Hundreds of people were there, each wanting to have that special moment of visiting with him.  Norm didn’t disappoint.  Patiently, he met everyone. Finally, it was time for my family to meet this humble hero.  Introductions were made, handshakes, pictures were taken, and an autograph.  To my young daughters, he shook their hands and said, “Now when you shake someone’s hand, you grab it firmly and look at the person right here,” and he pointed to his eyes.  “That tells them you mean it!”  For me, Dr. Borlaug signed a page from a magazine showing a picture of him and young scientists from around the world. He said these were his “Wheat Disciples” and pointed at each one and said the country they were from.  I thought it incredible he could remember them so vividly from 50 years earlier.  Upon learning I was a teacher, he lamented that no one from his hometown of Cresco had been to the WFP Global Youth Institute yet!  Given his incredibly busy life and schedule at age 88, I was pleasantly surprised that he still was in tune with his Cresco roots. The brief meeting with this man confirmed what others had told me: there was truly a presence of greatness about him, and yet his interest in you was genuine.
 
A couple years later, Norm spoke at a luncheon/fundraiser for the farm.  Upon hearing this, I asked my principal if I could take my 4th grade class there to get a chance to meet him.  Along with some middle school students, we sat off to the side to listen to his speech after the dinner.  Noticing us, Norm finished his speech and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, there are some young people I need to meet.”  He shook the students’ hands (the same firm handshake, look me in the eye lesson he gave my daughters), signed autographs, had pictures taken, and advised the kids to give it their best at all times.  The reactions of these students meeting this great man was priceless.  As we boarded the bus back to Cresco, one wide-eyed boy named Ryan looked at his right hand and said, “I’m never going to wash this hand again!”
 
Norm would be very happy with what is happening on his farms.  He turned over the properties to preserve this place because it provided the strong foundation for his life’s work.  He wished it to be a place where people could come learn that from simple beginnings, great things can be achieved.  The farm sites are “Ground Zero” -- where it all began. Our “Inspire Days”, education programs, adult programs, and tours are all “to honor the man and strengthen his legacy”.