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News http://www.worldfoodprize.org/sitevizcms/RSSFeed.cfm?nodeid=87428&audienceID=1 en-us Copyright 2026 The World Food Prize Foundation All Rights Reserved. wfpf@worldfoodprize.org (The World Food Prize Foundation) support@globalreach.com (Global Reach Internet Productions) Sun, 12 Jul 2026 15:52:39 -0500 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 15:52:39 -0500 60 Global Agricultural Leaders Convene in Nairobi for High-Level DialogueNEXT Event on African Agriculture http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49486/global_agricultural_leaders_convene_in_nairobi_for_highlevel_dialoguenext_event_on_african_agriculture Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49486/global_agricultural_leaders_convene_in_nairobi_for_highlevel_dialoguenext_event_on_african_agriculture Agricultural leaders, government representatives, agripreneurs, scientists and farmers from across Africa and around the world are gathering in Nairobi this week for DialogueNEXT in Africa, a high-level event to explore and accelerate agri-tech innovations for the continent. Hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation, the conference will focus on how to seize the opportunity of feeding a continent whose population will represent <a href="https://population.un.org/wpp/">more than one in four people</a> on the planet by 2050.  High-level government representation from across the continent joined the event’s discussions, including H.E. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya and Dr. Riana Nantenaina Randrianomenjanahary, Minister of Livestock, Madagascar. Key sessions will address urgent issues including optimized agri-regulations, farmer-centered innovations, smallholder harvests, nutrition and food systems and value chains. A high-level ministerial panel will examine the regulatory barriers holding back African agricultural investment and innovation while a dedicated session on agripreneurship will hear rapid-fire keynotes from some of the continent's most dynamic agripreneurs and development experts. The event theme – "Born to Feed the Future" – emphasizes that Africa is not waiting for solutions from elsewhere. The event shines a global spotlight on the momentum building as farmers strengthen production alongside young agripreneurs, while researchers, institutions and regional partners align more closely with African realities and priorities. DialogueNEXT brings the World Food Prize Foundation's global journey to its third destination: Africa. Following events in Mexico (2024) and India (2025) – retracing the legacy of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and father of the Green Revolution – the event series now arrives in Africa, a continent that Dr. Borlaug called, "the last frontier" and where he dedicated much of his energy in the latter stages of his life. "It is an honor to hold this conference in Africa, four decades after Dr. Borlaug made his first major visit to the continent in 1984," said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. "Borlaug came with a simple but powerful conviction: that science in the hands of farmers could defeat hunger. That mission is unfinished and more urgent than ever as Africa's food systems must feed a young, growing and increasingly urban population.” The convening in Nairobi underscores the urgency of backing Africa’s most promising agri-food innovations and accelerating the collective response to feeding a rapidly growing population in an era of intensifying climate risk. With El Niño now developing and forecast to be one of the strongest on record — including a near<a href="https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/wmo-prepare-el-nino"> 90 percent</a> probability of continuing into the southern hemisphere summer — DialogueNEXT in Africa arrives at a critical moment for the continent's food systems. The stakes could not be higher: with just 2°C of warming, crop yields across sub-Saharan Africa are projected to fall by <a href="https://www.ilri.org/news/climate-change-africa-what-will-it-mean-agriculture-and-food-security">10 percent</a>, and warming beyond that mark could see yields drop by as much as 20 percent. "Hosting this conversation in Africa is not just symbolic, but necessary. This continent is home to some of the world's most dynamic agricultural systems and most resilient farmers, yet it remains chronically underinvested in,”  said Akinwumi Adesina, 2017 World Food Prize Laureate; Member, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors; and Former President of the African Development Bank Group. “The challenges — climate shocks, fragile supply chains, growing populations — are real, but so are the solutions, which are increasingly being developed by African scientists, farmers and entrepreneurs. The insights that emerge from Nairobi will help shape the global agenda." DialogueNEXT in Africa comes ahead of the <a href="/en/events/borlaug_dialogue/2025_borlaug_dialogue/">Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue</a> to be held in Des Moines, Iowa, October 20–22, 2026.   The World Food Prize Foundation World Food Prize Foundation Recognizes African Agri-food Innovators with Three Major Awards http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49488/world_food_prize_foundation_recognizes_african_agrifood_innovators_with_three_major_awards Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49488/world_food_prize_foundation_recognizes_african_agrifood_innovators_with_three_major_awards  The World Food Prize Foundation announced three major awards at DialogueNEXT in Africa today, celebrating African innovators shaping the future of the continent's food systems. The awards – the Norman E. Borlaug Medallion, the Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Inspiring the Next Generation Award – were announced before an audience of ministers, agricultural leaders, agripreneurs, scientists and farmers gathered under the conference’s theme, “Born to Feed the Future.” “Dialogue is where consensus is built, and dialogue is where positions begin,” said Akinwumi Adesina, 2017 World Food Prize Laureate and Member of the World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors in his opening address to the conference. “Today, our conversation leads to one defining question: what kind of Africa do we choose to build?” The Norman E. Borlaug Medallion was presented to AGRA in recognition of twenty years of work supporting smallholder farmers across the continent. Presented by Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation, the award acknowledges AGRA's role in building the systems, partnerships and farmer networks that underpin African food security. “Thank you, President Mashal, and the World Food Prize Foundation for this generous and deeply meaningful recognition. I receive it with great humility and gratitude,” said Alice Ruhweza, President, AGRA. “I want to thank those who have walked the journey with us over the past 20 years, as well as our founders who have helped us ‘take it to the farmer.’” The Recipient of the Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by The Rockefeller Foundation, was announced as Pamela Afokpe, a plant breeder at East-West Seed whose work professionalizing indigenous crops has transformed smallholder farming across West Africa. Combining rigorous plant breeding with farmer training and market engagement, Afokpe developed the Sika Gboma variety of a traditional West African leafy vegetable, scaling it to thousands of farmers across Benin and beyond. The World Food Prize Foundation's Inspiring the Next Generation Award was presented by Foundation President Mashal Husain to Kenneth Monjero, Coordinator of the Kenya Youth Institute and Founder of the Fun & Education Global Network, which provides hands-on STEM education, mentorship and career development for children and youth. Conferred to educators and implementing partners who play a critical role in the Foundation's youth programs – including the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, regional Youth Institutes and the Global Youth Institute – the award recognizes those whose mentorship and dedication are inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in agriculture and food security. “I am very humbled by this award because there are so many across the world who are doing excellent work to inspire the next generation,” said Monjero. “Food security needs young people on board, so - in the spirit of Norman Borlaug - we need to engage all young learners to understand and empower them to act.” DialogueNEXT in Africa is the third destination in a series of annual events convened by the World Food Prize Foundation to retrace the legacy of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and father of the Green Revolution. Dr. Borlaug called Africa "the last frontier," and he dedicated much of his energy in the latter years of his life to the continent. The event also featured the launch of a new <a href="https://docs.mena2050.org/agrifood">white paper</a> from the MENA2050 Food Systems Committee, a coalition of senior food systems leaders working to develop long-term strategies for sustainable agriculture across the Middle East and North Africa. The white paper offers a rare regional analysis of agrifood systems across the Middle East and North Africa. Moving beyond country-by-country perspectives, it examines the shared pressures shaping the region’s food future: climate stress, water scarcity, import dependency, market volatility and social inequalities, through the critical Food-Water-Energy Nexus. Following the conference, attendees will continue their DialogueNEXT in Africa experience with a series of immersion events putting participants in direct contact with the researchers, technologies and farming systems shaping Africa’s food system. This includes visits to the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, CIMMYT, Hello Tractor, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, International Livestock Research Institute, International Potato Center, International Rice Research Institute and WorldFish. DialogueNEXT in Africa comes ahead of the <a href="/en/events/borlaug_dialogue/2025_borlaug_dialogue/">Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue</a>, to be held in Des Moines, Iowa, October 20-22, 2025.   The World Food Prize Foundation Remembering World Food Prize Laureate Mary-Dell Chilton http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49487/remembering_world_food_prize_laureate_marydell_chilton Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49487/remembering_world_food_prize_laureate_marydell_chilton On behalf of the World Food Prize Laureates and our Council of Advisors, the World Food Prize Foundation extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of <a href="/en/laureates/20102019_laureates/2013_van_montagu_chilton_fraley/">Mary-Dell Chilton</a>, 2013 Laureate, who passed away at the age of 87 on June 24, 2026. “Dr. Chilton was a true pioneer in agriculture, making breakthroughs in biotechnology, a field that she helped to establish,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “Her leadership has inspired countless women and girls to pursue their passions in science and agriculture, and her vision continues to light a path forward.” Chilton was honored as the 2013 World Food Prize Laureate, with co-Laureates Marc Van Montagu and Robert Fraley, for her breakthrough achievement in developing and applying modern agricultural biotechnology to create the first genetically modified crops.  “Millions of farmers all over the world have Dr. Chilton to thank for protecting their crops from disease, pests and climate shocks,” said Tom Vilsack, CEO, World Food Prize Foundation. “Her brilliant innovations have revolutionized agriculture. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy continues to guide those who are bringing technology to bear on the great challenges we face in feeding the world.” Chilton developed a love of science from an early age, scoring high in tests and classes for biology, math and chemistry, and was even named as a finalist in the Westinghouse (now Regeneron) Science Talent Search. She was encouraged in her studies by her grandmother, who was an entrepreneur at a time when it was uncommon for women to own a business or study the sciences. Chilton earned a bachelor’s degree and doctorate in chemistry from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and went on to accept a position at the University of Washington in Seattle. There, Chilton made the breakthrough discovery that the crown gall plant disease was caused by the bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens transferring a small part of its own DNA from the Ti plasmid into the host plant, where it became part of the plant’s genome. Years later, as a professor at Washington University in St. Louis, Chilton harnessed the gene-transfer mechanism of Agrobacterium to produce the first transgenic tobacco plant. Her work demonstrated that this mechanism can be used to transfer genes from other organisms into plants, opening the doors to many more opportunities in plant breeding. Chilton was hired by Ciba-Geigy Corporation (later Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., or SBI) at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina in 1983 and began the next phase of her career, spanning both biotechnology research and administrative roles including Vice President of Agricultural Biotechnology, Distinguished Science Fellow and Principal Scientist. The company credits her with founding Syngenta Biotechnology. Under her leadership, Syngenta became the first company to commercialize a biotech trait in corn. Over the next three decades, she established one of the world’s first industrial agricultural biotechnology programs, leading applied research in areas such as disease and insect resistance, as well as continuing to improve transformation systems in crop plants. Chilton’s pioneering work contributed to the emergence of a new term, "agricultural biotechnology," and set the stage for engineering crops with novel traits that improved yields and conferred resistance to insects and disease, as well as tolerance to adverse environmental conditions.  "As the subject of agricultural biotechnology is added to the 10,000-year history of human agriculture, Dr. Mary Dell Chilton will have a prominent place at the intersection of the Green Revolution and the Gene Revolution,” said Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President Emeritus, World Food Prize Foundation. “Her pioneering research in molecular biology at Washington University in St. Louis led to her team developing a gene transfer mechanism that could both enhance disease resistance in and increase yields of transgenic plants. At the time she received the World Food Prize in 2013, over 15 million smallholder farmers in developing countries were increasing their incomes by cultivating biotech crops, thereby lifting over 50 million family members out of poverty. Mary Dell Chilton truly exemplified the Dr. Norman Borlaug's favorite quote that 'Science is the multiplier of the Harvest.'"  Chilton was recognized with the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Sciences and the Crop Science Society of America Presidential Award. She was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences and the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and in 2023 she was presented with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Joe Biden. She retired in 2018 from Syngenta, where her legacy continues through the Syngenta Seeds’ R&D program. The World Food Prize Foundation will miss Chilton’s presence and honor her life and legacy during the 40th annual Laureate Award Ceremony on October 22, 2026.   The World Food Prize Foundation 40 Food Security Trailblazers Recognized by World Food Prize Foundation in Top Agri-food Pioneers List http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49483/40_food_security_trailblazers_recognized_by_world_food_prize_foundation_in_top_agrifood_pioneers_list Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49483/40_food_security_trailblazers_recognized_by_world_food_prize_foundation_in_top_agrifood_pioneers_list A total of 40 scientists, policymakers, community builders and innovators transforming food systems across the world have been named the 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP), announced today by the World Food Prize Foundation. Now in its third year, the TAP list honors individuals driving bold and innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in global food security. This year’s awardees span 30 countries and six continents — from Australia to Uzbekistan. The Pioneers range in age from 16 to 81 and represent a diverse mix of expertise from crop and livestock research, child nutrition, natural resources management and methane emissions reductions as well as novel areas like 3D and 4D food printing, AI applications and more. The 40 Top Agri-food Pioneers also reflect the celebration of the World Food Prize Foundation’s 40th anniversary. All awardees will be formally recognized during the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, taking place October 20–22 in Des Moines, Iowa. “Amidst the overlapping crises facing our food systems today, stabilizing global food and nutrition security is as urgent as it has ever been,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “The 2026 TAP cohort recognizes innovators who are delivering practical, science-driven solutions across a range of existing and emerging disciplines to build the resilient, sustainable and food secure planet we all deserve.”  Among the awardees are: Chiedozie Egesi (Nigeria), 55 – a leading cassava breeder whose work has accelerated the development and dissemination of improved cassava varieties across Africa, including pro-vitamin A cassava. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg (Kenya), 47 – who has helped build the capacity of hundreds of African agricultural scientists and innovators, particularly women, and whose leadership has expanded investment in climate-resilient agricultural research Hayden Montgomery (New Zealand), 47 – whose efforts have helped shape practical pathways for methane reductions in livestock and farming systems without compromising on productivity or sustainability Anandharamakrishnan Chinnaswamy (India), 52 – whose research focuses on food processing, preservation and value addition technologies, improving methods for extending shelf life, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing the quality and safety of processed foods Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov (Uzbekistan), 51 – Uzbekistan’s Minister of Agriculture and a pioneer in crop genomics now building his country’s genomics research capacity Uta Paszkowski (Germany), 61 – An internationally recognized plant scientist whose research has transformed understanding of beneficial relationships between crops and soil fungi, providing foundations for reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers while improving nutrient uptake and crop productivity Donald MacKenzie (Canada), 70 – A global regulatory expert who has led partnerships that deploy improved crop varieties with enhanced nutrition, disease resistance and productivity for smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries Josselyn Vega (Ecuador), 29 – An emerging leader focused on strengthening local food systems and creating opportunities for more inclusive and resilient agricultural value chains, particularly for younger generations and underserved communities “This recognition is not a personal accolade but an affirmation that effective deployment of science and innovation and purposeful leadership can transform lives when translated into action,” said 2026 TAP honoree Chiedozie Egesi, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Root Crops Research Institute in Nigeria. “Research achieves its highest purpose when it transforms farms, feeds families and builds nations. It also honors the resilience of African farmers who, against all odds, continue to feed communities, strengthen economies and secure the continent’s future. Food security is not a dream but a deliberate choice.”  The announcement also comes ahead of the World Food Prize Foundation’s DialogueNEXT event taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 30, bringing together food systems stakeholders from around the world to find solutions for global hunger.   Full list of 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers: <ol> <li>Maman Abdou | Niger | Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Tech-Innov</li> <li>Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov | Uzbekistan | Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Uzbekistan</li> <li>Jeffrey Appiagyei | Ghana | Co-founder and Team Lead, SAYeTECH</li> <li>Gabriela Del Pilar Burgos Zapata | Peru | Senior Researcher and Head of the Quality and Nutrition Laboratory, International Potato Center</li> <li>Anandharamakrishnan Chinnaswamy | India | Director, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, India</li> <li>Chiedozie Egesi | Nigeria | Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria</li> <li>Fiona Flintan | United Kingdom | Senior Scientist Rangelands and Pastoralism, International Livestock Research Institute</li> <li>Michael Hands | United Kingdom | Founder and Director, The Inga Foundation</li> <li>AbduRahman Beshir Issa | Ethiopia | Senior Scientist, Seed Systems Specialist, CIMMYT</li> <li>Marina Kamanzi | Rwanda | Chief Executive Officer, Kagezi Seed Company</li> <li>Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg | Kenya | Managing Director for Africa, Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture</li> <li>Rudrojas Kunvar | United States | Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Evion</li> <li>Winwin Kyi | Myanmar | President FoSTAM, International Academy of Food Science and Technology</li> <li>Marco Maccaferri | Italy | Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna</li> <li>Donald MacKenzie | Canada | Executive Director, Institute for International Crop Improvement (retired)</li> <li>Steve Mantle | Australia | Owner and Founder, innov8.ag</li> <li>Gonroudobou Marietta | Benin | Founder, Agro Hikari</li> <li>Lourena Arone Maxwell | Mozambique | Scientist - Plant Pathology, World Vegetable Center</li> <li>Gilbert Mbeh | Cameroon | Founder and Chief Technology Officer, PushNcare</li> <li>Tara McHugh | United States | Pacific West Area Director, U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service</li> <li>Simon Mnyele | Tanzania | Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer, Lishe360</li> <li>Hayden Montgomery | New Zealand | Program Director for Agriculture, Global Methane Hub</li> <li>Raphael Mrode | Nigeria | Principal Scientist, Quantitative Dairy Cattle Genetics, International Livestock Research Institute</li> <li>Willie Ng | Malaysia | Managing Director, Global Cerah</li> <li>Wasamon Nutakul | Thailand | Head of Science and Technology, The Good Food Institute APAC</li> <li>Alejandro Ortega-Beltran | Mexico | Senior Plant Pathologist, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture</li> <li>Uta Paszkowski | Germany | Professor in Plant Molecular Genetics, University of Cambridge</li> <li>Marian Dorcas Quain | Ghana | Deputy Director-General, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Ghana</li> <li>Yashpal Saharawat | India | Global Director, Resilience and Environment, International Fertilizer Development Center</li> <li>Mayumi Sato | Japan | Young Scientist, World Food Forum</li> <li>Abdoulaye Sawadogo | Burkina Faso | Director General, Neema Agricole du Faso</li> <li>Corinne Scown | United States | Senior Scientist and Deputy for Research, Energy Analysis Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory</li> <li>Rony Swennen | Germany | Banana Crop Lead, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture</li> <li>Dror Tamir | Israel | Founder, Holy Locust</li> <li>Rajeev Varshney | India | International Chair in Agriculture and Food Security, Murdoch University</li> <li>Josselyn Veronica Vega Rojas | Ecuador | Coordinator, Association of Agroecological Producers of Cotopaxi, Ecuador</li> <li>Chen-Pang Wu | Taiwan | Chairman, CH Bio R&D Co.</li> <li>Liangzhi You | China | Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute</li> <li>Curtis Youngs | United States | Morrill Professor, Iowa State University</li> <li>Andrey Zarur | Mexico | Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, GreenLight Biosciences  </li> </ol> The World Food Prize Foundation African Agriculture Ministers, World Food Prize Laureates, Agripreneurs and Sector Leaders Convene for High-Level Event in Nairobi to Advance Continent's Food Systems http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49482/african_agriculture_ministers_world_food_prize_laureates_agripreneurs_and_sector_leaders_convene_for_highlevel_event_in_nairobi_to_advance_continents_food_systems Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49482/african_agriculture_ministers_world_food_prize_laureates_agripreneurs_and_sector_leaders_convene_for_highlevel_event_in_nairobi_to_advance_continents_food_systems WHAT: African farmers, food system leaders, young agripreneurs, government officials, World Food Prize Laureates, agricultural researchers and business innovators will convene for a high-level event to discuss how to navigate the defining challenge of feeding a continent whose population will represent more than <a href="https://population.un.org/wpp/">one in four people</a> on the planet by 2050.  This year's DialogueNEXT, themed "Born to Feed the Future," is hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya — the third and final stop in its global journey tracing the legacy of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug — following <a href="/en/events/dialoguenext/dialoguenext_mexico/">Mexico</a> (2024) and <a href="/en/events/dialoguenext/dialoguenext_india/">India</a> (2025). The event is open to journalists, who will have direct access to senior figures across African agriculture, policy, science, innovation and business — all in one room, on one day. African ministers will speak at a press conference during the event. The event will also feature the presentation of three major awards: <a href="/en/nominations/norman_borlaug_medallion/">The Norman Borlaug Medallion</a> <a href="/index.cfm?nodeID=87974&audienceID=1">The 2026 Borlaug Field Award</a> <a href="/index.cfm?nodeID=97008&audienceID=1">The 2026 Inspiring the Next Generation Award</a> WHEN: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 (The press conference will be held 10:15 - 10:45 local time at the venue.) Journalists also have the opportunity to join field visits on Wednesday, July 1 at the <a href="https://www.ilri.org/">International Livestock Research Institute</a>,  <a href="https://www.icipe.org/">International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology</a>, <a href="https://www.cgiar.org/research/center/cimmyt">CIMMYT</a> and <a href="https://alliancebioversityciat.org/">The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT</a> among other organizations. These visits will showcase African agricultural innovations in action firsthand. Contact Harvey Presence (harvey@marchmontcomms.com) to register or inquire (spaces are limited). WHERE: Safari Park Hotel & Casino, Kasarani, Off Thika Road, P.O. Box 45038, Nairobi 00100 Kenya. In-person registration for media is <a href="/en/newsroom/dialoguenext_in_africa_media_registration/">open here</a>. WHO: The event will feature several eminent leaders, including: <ul> <li>Hon. Akinwumi Adesina | 2017 World Food Prize Laureate and Member, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors</li> <li>Terese Shadrach Akpem | 2024 Top Agri-food Pioneer and Founder, Vet Konect</li> <li>Dennis Beesigamukama | 2024 Borlaug Field Award Recipient and Postdoctoral Fellow, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology</li> <li>Appolinaire Djikeng | 2024 Top Agri-food Pioneer and Director General, International Livestock Research Institute</li> <li>Mashal Husain | President, World Food Prize Foundation</li> <li>Agnes Kalibata | Founder, C4Impact Advisory Group</li> <li>Debra Mallowah | Head of Africa, Bayer Crop Science</li> <li>Joyce Maru | Regional Director for Africa, International Potato Center</li> <li>Sandra Cristina Kothe Milach | Chief Scientist, CGIAR</li> <li>Sarah Msambira | Director of Agriculture, Small Farm Cities Africa</li> <li>Jehiel Oliver | 2024 Top Agri-food Pioneer and Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Hello Tractor</li> <li>Eric Pohlman | 2015 Borlaug Field Award Recipient and Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, One Acre Fund</li> <li>Alice Ruhweza | President, AGRA</li> <li>Lindiwe Majele Sibanda | Chair of Council, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe</li> <li>Víctor Villalobos | Member, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors</li> <li>Lucy Wangari | Founder, Onion Doctor Limited and Member, Global Farmer Network</li> </ul> WHY: Africa stands at an inflection point. By 2050, more than one in four people on the planet will be African — a demographic reality that makes the continent's ability to feed itself and contribute to global food security one of the most consequential challenges of our time. That challenge is coming into sharper focus. With El Niño now developing and forecast to intensify into the southern hemisphere summer, there is a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall across much of the Greater Horn of Africa during the critical June through September growing season — a potential threat to food production, underscoring the urgency of conversations in Nairobi. Yet Africa also holds extraordinary potential: the world's largest reserve of uncultivated arable land, a rapidly growing young workforce and a new generation of farmers, innovators and entrepreneurs already transforming food systems from the ground up. DialogueNEXT in Africa arrives at a moment when African voices must be central to the global conversation on hunger. The insights and calls to action emerging from Nairobi will set the stage for critical discussions at the annual <a href="/en/events/borlaug_dialogue/2025_borlaug_dialogue/">Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue</a>, taking place October 20–22, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.   The World Food Prize Foundation From Iowa Farmer to Global Humanitarian: Ken DeYoung to Receive 2026 Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49477/from_iowa_farmer_to_global_humanitarian_ken_deyoung_to_receive_2026_robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_humanitarian_award Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49477/from_iowa_farmer_to_global_humanitarian_ken_deyoung_to_receive_2026_robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_humanitarian_award The World Food Prize Foundation announced today that Ken DeYoung will receive the 2026 Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award in recognition of his extraordinary leadership in confronting hunger and alleviating human suffering in communities across Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Liberia, Peru and beyond. “Ken DeYoung embodies the compassion, perseverance and servant leadership that define the Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “What began with a response to a humanitarian crisis evolved into a long-term commitment to helping communities thrive. Through his vision and determination, thousands of children and families have gained access to food, education, healthcare and opportunity. DeYoung's work reflects Iowa’s enduring tradition of humanitarian leadership and global engagement, a legacy Governor Ray championed throughout his life. I have no doubt he would be proud to see that legacy carried forward through Ken's service today." Growing up on a farm outside of Laurens, Iowa, DeYoung is a farmer, pilot, community leader and co-founder of GoServ Global who transformed a lifetime of service into a global humanitarian movement. His commitment to helping others began as an Angel Flight pilot, volunteering his aircraft and time to transport critically ill patients and individuals in need of medical care. In January 2010, as DeYoung and his family prepared for a vacation to the Bahamas, Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake that left hundreds of thousands dead and millions in need of assistance. Moved by the unfolding humanitarian crisis, DeYoung changed course. Instead of vacationing, he joined relief efforts and used his aviation experience to help transport critical medical supplies into Haiti. During one of those missions, he met Eddy Constant, a Haitian leader caring for 15 orphaned girls whose futures had been thrown into uncertainty by the disaster. That encounter would change the course of DeYoung’s life. Motivated by the urgent needs he witnessed, DeYoung partnered with missionary Terry Baxter and others to establish GoServ Global in 2011. What began as an effort to support orphaned children in Haiti soon grew into a multifaceted humanitarian organization dedicated to addressing hunger, poverty and community development around the world. Since its founding, GoServ Global has served more than 44,000 individuals across eight countries, supported by more than 475 volunteers and $3.39 million in annual funding. Central to its model is empowering local leadership, enabling communities to build long-term resilience and independence. “When I began flying medical supplies into Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, I encountered poverty in a deeply personal way,” said DeYoung. “It prompted a question that stayed with me: What can I do to make a difference? As a farmer in northwest Iowa, how could I respond to the overwhelming needs of a hurting world? Once our basic needs are met — a roof over our heads, food on the table and our families cared for — we are left to consider a greater purpose. Why are we here? How can we impact lives not only for today but for eternity? These questions continually weighed on my heart.” Under DeYoung’s leadership, GoServ Global helped establish multiple community centers in southwest Haiti to provide safe housing, nutritious meals, clean water, quality education and healthcare services to thousands annually. A hallmark of the organization’s work has been the deployment of more than 500 Safe T Home® units, durable housing structures developed by Iowa’s Sukup Manufacturing, that provide protection from hurricanes, earthquakes and other environmental threats. Today, GoServ Global-supported communities in Haiti include schools serving more than 3,000 students, a hospital and medical clinic, a dental clinic, a birthing center and agricultural projects that help strengthen local food security. “By God's grace, I have been blessed to play a small role in witnessing the life-changing work of GoServ Global,” DeYoung said. “Time and again, I have seen the Lord use this ministry to bring hope and transformation to people in remarkable ways. I am both humbled and honored to receive the Iowa SHARES Award from the World Food Prize Foundation. My prayer is that this recognition will open even more doors to share Christ's love by meeting needs, serving others and making a difference in communities across Iowa and around the world.” The organization’s impact extends far beyond Haiti. GoServ Global supports schools and community programs in Guatemala, India and Peru while responding to humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Tanzania and Uganda. The same year GoServ Global began its international work, northwest Iowa was hit by devastating tornadoes, prompting DeYoung to help establish the domestic disaster response arm of the organization, which continues to provide assistance across the Upper Midwest region of the United States. “Ken’s work demonstrates that lasting humanitarian impact is achieved not only through generosity, but through investing in people and leadership,” said Tom Vilsack, CEO, World Food Prize Foundation. “His commitment to helping communities build a better future for themselves reflects the values Governor Ray championed throughout his life.” The Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award was established by the World Food Prize Foundation in 2013 to honor former Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray on his 85th birthday and to recognize Iowans who demonstrate exceptional humanitarian leadership. The award is named for the Iowa SHARES campaign — “Iowa Sends Help to Aid Refugees and End Starvation” — which Governor Ray launched in 1979 to provide food, medicine and volunteer assistance to refugees fleeing Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge genocide. The award recognizes individuals whose work reflects Governor Ray’s legacy of compassion, leadership and service to vulnerable populations. DeYoung will be formally recognized during the 2026 Iowa Hunger Summit in Des Moines on July 22, 2026, where he will join a distinguished group of past recipients whose work has strengthened communities and improved lives both in Iowa and around the world.   The World Food Prize Foundation Registration Now Open for the 20th Annual Iowa Hunger Summit http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49472/registration_now_open_for_the_20th_annual_iowa_hunger_summit Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49472/registration_now_open_for_the_20th_annual_iowa_hunger_summit Today, the World Food Prize Foundation announced <a href="https://www.accelevents.com/e/ihs26?aff=520pressrelease">registration is now open</a> for the 2026 Iowa Hunger Summit, marking 20 years of bringing Iowans together to confront food and nutrition insecurity across the state. This year’s Iowa Hunger Summit, convening under the theme Linking Arms, Feeding Communities, will take place Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates in Des Moines. In a state that feeds the world, food insecurity remains a persistent reality for too many Iowans—385,130 people, 120,220 of whom are children. Not a single Iowa county is spared from rising hunger. The annual meal gap is nearly 73 million, and the additional resources required to meet the state’s food needs exceed $248.3 million. These are not abstract figures; they reflect not a lack of food but a need for stronger systems, deeper coordination and sustained commitment. They reflect Iowa families, Iowa children and Iowa communities facing daily uncertainty about their next meal in a state defined by abundance. Now in its 20th year, the Iowa Hunger Summit continues to serve as a platform for collaboration, innovation and action, bringing together nonprofit leaders, policymakers, educators, farmers, advocates and community members working to strengthen food systems across Iowa. “Food insecurity cannot be solved in isolation,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “Real progress happens when communities come together across sectors and generations to build solutions that are rooted in partnership, dignity and shared responsibility. The Iowa Hunger Summit reflects that spirit of collaboration and our collective commitment to ensuring every Iowan has access to nutritious food.”  Linking Arms, Feeding Communities highlights the work already underway across Iowa—work rooted in partnership, lived experience and shared responsibility. It recognizes that no single organization, sector or generation can solve hunger alone. Progress depends on how effectively we connect efforts, align resources and build solutions that endure beyond any one moment or initiative. “The work of addressing hunger is fundamentally about connection: connecting farmers to families, resources to communities and people to opportunity,” said Tom Vilsack, Chief Executive Officer, World Food Prize Foundation. “The Iowa Hunger Summit reminds us that food and nutrition security is not just an agricultural issue; it is an economic issue, a health issue and a human issue. By working together, Iowa can continue building stronger and more resilient communities.” This gathering is not only about sharing ideas but strengthening the relationships and commitments that turn ideas into action. It is where experience meets urgency, where collaboration becomes strategy and where the work of ending hunger continues—together. As part of the Iowa Hunger Summit, the Foundation will host a community meal-packaging event on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Hall of Laureates. In partnership with The Outreach Program, volunteers will package more than 20,000 meals for Iowa communities. Volunteer shifts will take place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., with opportunities available for both individuals and groups. The 9 to 10 a.m. shift will support event setup, while the 1 to 2 p.m. shift will prepare packaged meals for distribution. Meal-packaging stations operating from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. will accommodate up to ten volunteers each. The 2026 Iowa Hunger Summit will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and conversations focused on advancing food security efforts across Iowa. Attendance is free, but registration is required, and space is limited. For more information on the Iowa Hunger Summit on July 22 and meal packaging the day before, click <a href="https://www.iowahungersummit.org/index.cfm?nodeID=97143&audienceID=1">HERE</a>.   The World Food Prize Foundation Registration Now Open for the 2026 Borlaug Dialogue http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49470/registration_now_open_for_the_2026_borlaug_dialogue Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49470/registration_now_open_for_the_2026_borlaug_dialogue WHAT: The World Food Prize Foundation has opened registration for the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, convening under the theme Before Hunger Wins, marking a decisive moment for the future of global food security. Hunger presses forward, extending its reach across global landscapes shaped by intensifying conflict, climate volatility and deepening inequality. From active war zones to fragile states destabilized by unrest, food systems are being strained at every level.   At the same time, fragmented governance and shifting public policies—often non-unifying and inconsistent across borders—undermine long-term progress and weaken coordinated responses. Trust in science and innovation wavers at the very moment when both are needed most. And yet, at no other point in history have we possessed the knowledge, tools and human capacity to nourish everyone. The paradox of the moment is unmistakable: abundance and scarcity now exist side by side. Possibility and collapse stand within reach of the same horizon. Safe, nutritious and reliable food for all is not a given—it requires sustained commitment, adequate resources, cutting-edge innovation, resilient systems and real accountability. This year honors the 40th anniversary of the World Food Prize. Forty years later, the work remains unfinished. The choices we make today will shape who eats, who is nourished and who thrives across the globe for generations. Before hunger wins, we must.  There will be a number of opportunities to engage throughout the event outside of main stage programming. Those opportunities include:  <a href="/en/events/borlaug_dialogue/2026_borlaug_dialogue/opportunities_to_engage/meet_me_at_the_dialogue/">Meet Me at the Dialogue</a> Meet Me at the Dialogue is a 90-minute networking welcome reception providing participating organizations a high-visibility platform and opportunity to connect with hundreds of attendees to kick off the Borlaug Dialogue. Whether you are looking to build partnerships, share your mission or connect with new collaborators, Meet Me at the Dialogue is a strategic and impactful way to be engaged at one of the most influential gatherings in global food security.  <a href="/en/events/borlaug_dialogue/2026_borlaug_dialogue/opportunities_to_engage/exhibit_booths/">Side Events</a> Planned and executed by partners, side events bring new perspectives and formats to food and agricultural topics. These events are integral, showcasing unique work, fostering dialogue and engaging attendees. Side events before Borlaug Dialogue sessions begin on October 21 and 22 and in the evening following mainstage sessions on October 21. <a href="/en/events/borlaug_dialogue/2026_borlaug_dialogue/opportunities_to_engage/exhibit_booths/">Exhibits</a> Exhibit booths at the Borlaug Dialogue provide a welcoming space where attendees begin their experience, exploring the diverse opportunities presented by partners. Both standard and premium exhibitor booth options are available. Premium exhibit booths will be placed just outside the main stage doors, offering an opportunity for greater visibility and engagement for the duration of the Borlaug Dialogue.  <a href="/index.cfm?NodeID=97160&AudienceID=1&preview=1">Special Meetings</a> Organizations wishing to host a board meeting or workshop for a private group during the week of the Borlaug Dialogue, are invited to take advantage of our exclusive venue options. Whether you need a sophisticated boardroom or a dynamic workshop space, reserving a special meeting ensures that your event will be seamlessly integrated into the larger framework of the week’s events.  More information on registering, opportunities to engage and how to plan your trip can be found at <a href="http://worldfoodprize.org/register">HERE</a>.  WHEN: October 20-22, 2026  WHERE: Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd St, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309 Hotel and Travel The Foundation has organized a room block at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown Hotel to accommodate Borlaug Dialogue attendees. The room block is first-come, first-serve, and space is limited. Book early to reserve your room. The skywalk system connects the Hilton to the Iowa Events Center. In addition to the Hilton, there are a number of other hotels and accommodations available, and the nearest airport is the Des Moines International Airport.  WHO: The 2026 Borlaug Dialogue will offer a wide variety of featured speakers: renowned scientists, business leaders, policy makers, farmers, students and innovators. Confirmed speakers include:  Hon. Roza Fatch Mbilizi | Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Republic of Malawi Hon. J. Alexander Nuetah | Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Liberia David Beckmann | 2010 World Food Prize Laureate, Coordinator, Circle of Protection Sharon Burke | Chief Engagement Officer, CIMMYT H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn | Board Chair, AGRA Cary Fowler | 2024 World Food Prize Laureate, President, Food Security Leadership Council Louise Fresco | President Emeritus, Wageningen University & Research Executive Board Linda Funk | Executive Director, The Soyfoods Council Donald Gee | Comedian, World Food Prize Foundation Youth Programs Alum Neal Gutterson | Partner and Chief Technology Officer, Radicle Growth Lawrence Haddad | 2018 World Food Prize Laureate, Executive Director, The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Muhammad Ibrahim | Director General, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Anil Jain | Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jain Irrigation Systems Huub Lelieveld | 2026 World Food Prize Laureate, Founder, Global Harmonization Initiative Muneerah Merchant | Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Foundation USA Anna Nelson | Executive Director, Food Security Leadership Council Paul Newnham | 2024 Top Agri-food Pioneer, Chief Executive Officer, SDG2 Advocacy Hub Giles Oldroyd | 2024 Top Agri-food Pioneer, President, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Alice Ruhweza | President, AGRA Roger Thurow | Journalist and Author  Jason Wargent | 2024 Top Agri-food Pioneer, Founder and Chief Science Officer, BioLumic Michael Werz | Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations WHY: At the Borlaug Dialogue, the most critical conversations are taking place. Leaders and innovators are charting solutions, sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation of hunger fighters. It is where ideas become commitments and commitments become action. Rooted in the legacy of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug and the founding vision of the World Food Prize, the Borlaug Dialogue is not just a convening. It is a beacon, an inspiration to people who will bring arid lands to life, break cycles of hunger and poverty and beat down the barriers to our most basic needs. In the words of Dr. Borlaug, “Food is the moral right of all who are born unto this world.”    The World Food Prize Foundation World Food Prize Foundation Selects 13 Students for Distinguished Borlaug-Ruan International Internship http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49464/world_food_prize_foundation_selects_13_students_for_distinguished_borlaugruan_international_internship Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49464/world_food_prize_foundation_selects_13_students_for_distinguished_borlaugruan_international_internship Today, the World Food Prize Foundation announced the selection of 13 students for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, a unique experience preparing young leaders for high impact careers in science, agriculture and global development. The cohort hails from five U.S. states, India, Mexico and Sierra Leone. The 2026 Borlaug-Ruan intern cohort will explore issues related to global food security and sustainability during eight-week internships in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Mexico, Peru and Taiwan. The prestigious <a href="/en/youth_programs/borlaugruan_international_internship/">Borlaug-Ruan International Internship</a> provides students with hands-on professional experience working alongside scientists and policymakers at leading research and development organizations around the globe. “My internship experience was life changing,” said Isabell Olsasky, 2025 Borlaug-Ruan Intern at CIMMYT in Mexico. “I learned how the scalability of research directly affects farmers and developed skills that will last me a lifetime. Experiencing agriculture in such a global context gave me perspectives I’ll carry forever.” Established in 1998 by Norman Borlaug and John Ruan, Sr., the internship program enables high school and early college students to engage in projects alongside experts at agricultural research institutions. Participants gain firsthand exposure to scientific research, development initiatives and policymaking related to global food security, contributing through lab work, fieldwork, data collection and policy analysis. The Borlaug-Ruan Internship differs from other study abroad and internship programs by offering students the opportunity to complete original research alongside World Food Prize Laureates and international researchers. Interns become integral members of their teams, spending significant time in laboratories, in the field and in local communities conducting research and gathering data to address challenges in food security, agriculture, nutrition and environmental stewardship. “The Borlaug-Ruan International Internship exemplifies our commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders in food security,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “By immersing students in real-world research and connecting them with global experts, we are empowering them to carry forward Dr. Borlaug’s legacy and develop solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.” Many of the Borlaug-Ruan Interns will return to Des Moines and attend the annual <a href="/en/youth_programs/global_youth_institute/">Global Youth Institute</a> in October. During this week-long academic conference, students have the opportunity to engage with their peers from across the world while deepening their understanding of global food security, agriculture and sustainability. Additionally, student delegates will present their research to global leaders, participate in interactive workshops, attend the <a href="/index.cfm?nodeID=97144&audienceID=1">Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue</a> and more. The 2026 Borlaug-Ruan International Internship cohort:  Descil Bondi | Binkolo, Sierra Leone | International Centre of Insect Physiology & Ecology (icipe), Mbita, Kenya Kristin Davis | Warren Center, Pennsylvania | Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Londrina, Brazil Emily Eayre | Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania | World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg), Tainan, Taiwan Lily Ferguson | Boone, Iowa | S M Sehgal Foundation, Gurugram, India Mateen Hasan | Wexford, Pennsylvania | International Centre of Insect Physiology & Ecology (icipe), Mbita, Kenya Dev Karan | Noida, India | International Potato Center (CIP), Nairobi, Kenya Keona Laurence | Plymouth, Minnesota | China National Hybrid Rice Research & Development Center (CNHRRDC), Changsha, China Anna Lu | Johnston, Iowa | International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India Adalyn McKeag | Ames, Iowa | S M Sehgal Foundation, Gurugram, India Payton Moore | Waukee, Iowa | International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya Andrea Payán | Mexico City, Mexico | EARTH University, Guácimo, Costa Rica Moitri Santra | Oviedo, Florida | World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg), Tainan, Taiwan Michael Schruckmayr | Arden, North Carolina | International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, Peru   The World Food Prize Foundation The World Food Prize Foundation Announced the Appointment of New Administrative Operations and Youth Programs Coordinator http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49463/the_world_food_prize_foundation_announced_the_appointment_of_new_administrative_operations_and_youth_programs_coordinator Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49463/the_world_food_prize_foundation_announced_the_appointment_of_new_administrative_operations_and_youth_programs_coordinator The World Food Prize Foundation today announced that Carter Scallon has joined its staff as Coordinator II, Administrative Operations and Youth Programs. “Carter’s background aligns directly with the dual priorities of this role,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “He brings hands-on experience in environmental education and community engagement, along with the operational discipline needed to help steward a high-performance, LEED Platinum facility. From coordinating youth programming to working with building vendors and supporting sustainability benchmarks, he will contribute across both mission delivery and day-to-day operations.” In his role at the Foundation, Scallon will support both youth programming and the operational management of the Hall of Laureates. He will coordinate student engagement initiatives, manage program logistics and contribute to partnership development across the Foundation’s global youth network. In administrative operations, Scallon will play a key role in maintaining and advancing the Hall of Laureates, a LEED Platinum-certified facility recognized for the highest standards in energy efficiency and sustainable design. His responsibilities include managing vendor relationships for building systems and maintenance, coordinating facility operations and supporting ongoing compliance with LEED performance standards, including energy use, environmental quality and sustainable site management. “Growing up in Iowa, the Hall of Laureates has always represented innovation and global impact for me,” said Scallon. “Being able to help maintain and support a historically significant, LEED-certified facility while contributing to programs that equip the next generation of leaders makes this role especially meaningful.” Scallon brings significant international experience to the role, having served as a Community Conservation Promoter with the Peace Corps in Chiriquí, Panama, from 2023 to 2025. Working full time in a Spanish-speaking community, he taught environmental education to Kindergarten through 9th grade students, developed organic gardening and conservation initiatives, and coordinated community-wide programming that connected schools, families, and local partners. His work emphasized practical, place-based learning and cross-cultural collaboration to advance sustainability at the community level. After his Peace Corps service, Scallon worked as a naturalist with West Des Moines Parks and Recreation, where he designed and led immersive, hands-on day camps for youth. He developed curriculum, managed daily logistics and ensured safe, inclusive program delivery while working closely with families and staff. He also served as a park ranger at Acadia National Park, where he provided visitor education, safety guidance and public programming. Scallon earned a Bachelor of Science in community and regional planning from Iowa State University in 2022.   The World Food Prize Foundation Remembering Gary Kelley: The Artist Behind Iconic Hall of Laureates Artwork http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49461/remembering_gary_kelley_the_artist_behind_iconic_hall_of_laureates__artwork Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49461/remembering_gary_kelley_the_artist_behind_iconic_hall_of_laureates__artwork The World Food Prize Foundation extends its deepest sympathies to the family of artist Gary Kelley, who passed away on April 12, 2026. The Foundation was honored to commission three works by Kelley, two of which are currently on display in the Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn Iowa Gallery. Among them are a portrait of Jessie Field Shambaugh—whose Corn Clubs and Home Clubs helped lay the foundation for 4-H—and Pantheon of Iowa Heroes, a large-scale mural depicting four of Iowa’s most influential figures in the fight against hunger. Set on the front porch of Norman Borlaug’s boyhood home in northeast Iowa, the mural brings together Shambaugh, Herbert Hoover, George Washington Carver, and Henry A. Wallace, with Borlaug standing just beyond—an enduring tribute to Iowa’s legacy of leadership in global food security. A third piece, Borlaug’s Boyhood Home, is currently on display in the Foundation’s Executive Office. Kelley’s work leaves a lasting impression on all who encounter it. It is an honor to share his work with our visitors and to care for it for future generations.   The World Food Prize Foundation World Food Prize Foundation Selects 22 Youth Program Alumni for Inaugural Ambassador Program http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49459/world_food_prize_foundation_selects_22_youth_program_alumni_for_inaugural_ambassador_program Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49459/world_food_prize_foundation_selects_22_youth_program_alumni_for_inaugural_ambassador_program The World Food Prize Foundation today announced the creation of an Alumni Ambassador Program, deepening the Foundation’s investment in the next generation by activating alumni as leaders and advocates within a growing international network. The inaugural cohort is made up of 22 Borlaug Scholar alumni serving as global representatives of the organization and advancing its mission to strengthen food security worldwide. Over the past three decades, the Foundation has engaged and inspired more than 90,000 Borlaug Scholars through its global youth programs.  “The Alumni Ambassadors program represents a natural evolution of our investment in young people,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “For decades, we have seen Borlaug Scholars leave our programs with passion and purpose. This initiative ensures they remain connected, supported and empowered to translate that passion into meaningful, real-world impact.” The Alumni Ambassadors program is a year-long professional development initiative designed for individuals in the later stages of their academic journeys or in the early phases of their careers. As regional representatives of the Foundation, ambassadors will expand outreach, strengthen alumni engagement and elevate the impact of youth programming in communities around the world. Aligned with the Foundation’s mission to advance innovation and inspire action in global agriculture, the program equips participants with leadership training, mentorship opportunities and a platform to connect local efforts to a broader international network. Ambassadors will play a critical role in strengthening connections between current students and alumni, fostering cross-generational collaboration and extending the Foundation’s impact well beyond the classroom. “The Ambassador program offers a valuable opportunity for alumni to connect through our shared passions for food security, international development and sustainability,” said Nolan Monaghan, Midwest Region Youth Ambassador. “ By fostering relationships between alumni across regions and career stages, these networks will aid us in further enhancing our talents and capabilities in pursuit of a hunger free future.” The program also reflects a strategic effort to activate the Foundation’s global alumni network as a force for change. By mobilizing these emerging leaders, the Foundation aims to amplify innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing food security challenges while strengthening a community united by a shared mission. Through this inaugural cohort, the Foundation reinforces its commitment to investing in, equipping and mobilizing a global youth community dedicated to building sustainable and resilient food systems. The 2026 Alumni Ambassador cohort representing five regions is: Great Lakes Regional Team: Chris Barron | West Lafayette, Indiana Jana Chow | Plain City, Ohio Jacob Savela | St. Paul, Minnesota Destiny Taylor | Mount Pleasant, Michigan Midwest Regional Team: Evelyn Heidt | Altoona, Iowa Alexander Hutchinson | Manhattan, Kansas Kelli Klink | Roland, Iowa Olivia Marti | Arthur, Iowa Nolan Monaghan | St. Louis, Missouri Morgan Smith | Nevada, Iowa Northeast Regional Team: Srijani Datta | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Pranav Mettu | Rocky Mount, North Carolina Andie Pinga | New York City, New York Raena Prude | Ithaca, New York Risha Shetye | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Southern Regional Team: Alani Haile | Daytona Beach, Florida Shywann Horne | Waycross, Georgia Riya Kalluvila | Hubertus, Wisconsin Angel Lindsey | Stockbridge, Georgia Ariadne Pappa | College Station, Texas Western Regional Team: Tara Ross | Lamar, Arkansas Maya Sande | Eden Prairie, Minnesota    The World Food Prize Foundation Record-Breaking 15th Iowa Youth Institute Welcomes More Than 365 Students to Tackle Global Food Security http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49457/recordbreaking_15th_iowa_youth_institute_welcomes_more_than_365_students_to_tackle_global_food_security Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49457/recordbreaking_15th_iowa_youth_institute_welcomes_more_than_365_students_to_tackle_global_food_security Today, the World Food Prize Foundation hosted a record-breaking number of students to Iowa State University for the Iowa Youth Institute, marking the program’s 15th year.  In partnership with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University, more than 365 Iowa students gathered in Ames to explore global challenges related to hunger, agriculture and food security. Each participant prepared a <a href="/documents/filelibrary/youth_programs/Global_Challenge_Paper_Instructions_576CF0E9F8429.pdf">Global Challenge Research Paper</a> focused on a food security issue in another country and presented proposed solutions in discussions with scientists, industry professionals and academic leaders. With the powerful sound of the Iowa State University Drumline opening the day, attendees heard remarks from Tom Vilsack, Chief Executive Officer of the World Food Prize Foundation; Mashal Husain, its President; David Cook, President of Iowa State University; and Jimmy Rogers, Head Football Coach at the university, whose remarks inspired attendees with themes of leadership, resilience and teamwork. “As you walk down your journey, it comes back to ‘what is important to you,’ and attack it with everything inside of you,” said Rogers. “Your research, your work and your investment is the forefront of what we will be tomorrow. Your impact is going to impact so many. It is about you collaborating, it is about you and your innovative thoughts working alongside people to become the best version of yourself.” The Iowa Youth Institute connects students with leaders in science, agriculture and global development through presentations, roundtable discussions and interactive campus experiences focused on strengthening global food systems. “The record-breaking number of students at this year’s Iowa Youth Institute sends a clear and hopeful message about the future,” said Husain. “More young people than ever are stepping forward, ready to tackle the complex challenges of global food security with conviction, perseverance and innovation. That momentum matters. It tells us the next generation is not only prepared to lead, but committed to building a more food-secure world.” Established 15 years ago with vital support from former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, the Iowa Youth Institute has grown into a leading pipeline for developing the next generation of agricultural and food security leaders. Amb. Branstad’s legacy of service now grows, as the Foundation announced the World Food Prize Foundation Ambassador Terry Branstad Scholars in STEM Award, a $5,000 annual scholarship, that will be officially awarded at the Iowa Hunger Summit on July 22, 2026 and was announced during the Iowa Youth Institute. “Ambassador Branstad understands that the fight against global hunger begins with investing in young people and their potential,” said Gov. Vilsack. “This scholarship carries forward his legacy by opening doors for Iowa students to pursue STEM pathways and equipping the next generation with the tools to lead, innovate and help feed the world.” This milestone year provides an opportunity to recognize Branstad’s leadership while investing in the next generation of Iowa students. The scholarship reflects the Foundation’s commitment to supporting young leaders tackling global challenges through science and innovation. “In my tenure as the President of the World Food Prize Foundation, I had a front row seat to the enthusiasm, excitement and energy at many of these Iowa Youth Institutes,” said Amb. Branstad in a statement. “I watched these students come prepared to our events with so many agriculture and STEM skills. Whether in the classroom or through organizations like FFA and 4-H, but this Iowa Youth Institute scholarship will help bring more young people into these important fields.” Over its history, the program has awarded more than $800,000 in scholarships to Iowa State University for participating students. Those who attend the Iowa Youth Institute receive a $1,000 scholarship to Iowa State University for each year they participate, renewable for up to four years for a potential total of $4,000. Additional opportunities increase the scholarship possibilities. Students selected to attend the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines during the annual Borlaug Dialogue receive an additional $2,000 scholarship to Iowa State, while those chosen for the prestigious Borlaug-Ruan International Internship earn a $6,000 scholarship. Since its launch, the Iowa Youth Institute has engaged thousands of students and educators across the state, encouraging young people to apply their talents to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges related to hunger, nutrition and sustainable agriculture. For more information about the Iowa Youth Institute and the World Food Prize Foundation’s youth programs, visit <a href="http://worldfoodprize.org/youth">worldfoodprize.org/youth</a>.    The World Food Prize Foundation World Food Prize Foundation Names Agricultural Technology Leader Grace Campidilli to Council of Advisors http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49456/world_food_prize_foundation_names_agricultural_technology_leader_grace_campidilli_to_council_of_advisors Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49456/world_food_prize_foundation_names_agricultural_technology_leader_grace_campidilli_to_council_of_advisors The World Food Prize Foundation announced today the appointment of Grace Campidilli, an agriculture and technology professional, to its Council of Advisors, filling one of two seats reserved for early-career professionals. Campidilli is a software engineer at John Deere, where she develops data infrastructure and AI tools that enable more informed decision-making for equipment dealers and farmers. Her work sits at the intersection of agriculture and technology, advancing innovation to meet the growing complexity of global food systems. “Grace represents the next generation of leaders working at the cutting edge of agriculture and technology,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “Her interdisciplinary expertise and longstanding commitment to the Foundation’s mission make her an exceptional addition to the Council of Advisors.” Campidilli’s background spans plant genetics research, autonomous robotics engineering and consulting on projects supporting venture capital firms and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This breadth of experience reflects a career dedicated to building integrated solutions that strengthen food systems from production to policy. “I’m honored to join the World Food Prize Foundation’s Council of Advisors,” said Campidilli. “Drawing on experience across agriculture, technology and global development, I’m excited to contribute a systems-oriented perspective in support of the Foundation’s work advancing global food security. After seven years of engagement with the World Food Prize Foundation, first through its youth programming and the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, and later as a volunteer and speaker, I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back as a member of the Council.” Campidilli has been engaged with the Foundation Youth Programs since 2019 and was selected as a Borlaug-Ruan Intern in 2021, conducting research with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Her continued involvement as a volunteer and speaker underscores a sustained commitment to the Foundation’s mission of elevating innovations and inspiring action to address global hunger. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Statistics and Plant Science from Cornell University, where she was recognized as a James Beard Foundation National Scholar. A proud sixth-generation Iowan, Campidilli currently resides in Chicago. The World Food Prize Foundation’s Council of Advisors is composed of distinguished leaders from across sectors who provide strategic guidance and support the Foundation’s efforts to elevate innovations and inspire action to sustainably increase the quality, quantity and availability of food for all.   The World Food Prize Foundation Architect of Global Food Safety Standards Named 2026 World Food Prize Laureate http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49453/architect_of_global_food_safety_standards_named_2026_world_food_prize_laureate Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49453/architect_of_global_food_safety_standards_named_2026_world_food_prize_laureate A scientist who led a global food safety movement that prevented millions of cases of foodborne illness, dismantled barriers to trade and humanitarian aid, and reduced food loss and waste has been named the 2026 World Food Prize Laureate. Huub Lelieveld, a humanitarian and food safety expert from the Netherlands, has been recognized for marshaling a movement across 113 countries to deliver the scientific evidence for modern regulations, legislation and international standards that safeguard the world’s food supply. Through six decades of research, institution-building and tireless advocacy, he has united scientists, industry leaders and policymakers around a commitment to safe and nutritious food for all. Unsafe food causes <a href="https://www.who.int/activities/estimating-the-burden-of-foodborne-diseases">600 million</a> foodborne illnesses and 420,000 deaths each year around the globe. At the same time, inconsistent or politically-driven food safety standards disrupt trade by delaying shipments, destroying safe produce at borders and raising trade costs, undermining food supply—especially in import-dependent countries.  In 2002, alarming reports confirmed that Southern Africa was rapidly descending into famine. The need for emergency aid was immediate and overwhelming, as millions faced severe food shortages and acute hunger. As officials deliberated the safety of genetically modified food products, thousands perished—while life-saving food aid sat in ports. Bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory barriers had stalled delivery of food at the very moment it was most urgently required.  Rather than retiring at the age of 60 after a successful 40-year career as a food scientist for Unilever in the Netherlands, Lelieveld set out to prevent similar crises. In 2004, he established the <a href="https://www.globalharmonization.net/">Global Harmonization Initiative</a> (GHI), a global food safety organization that today connects more than 1,600 volunteer experts across a vast network of countries to advance science-based food safety and reduce barriers to the safe distribution of food worldwide. Under Lelieveld’s leadership, GHI efforts have been critical to streamlining food trade and enhancing food security and access around the world. In Kenya, GHI recommendations were adopted into national legislation in 2023, requiring food companies to employ certified food safety professionals. GHI has also played a key role in standardizing and depoliticizing food irradiation—a technology that prevents millions of foodborne illness cases annually while reducing food waste by extending shelf life. The announcement of this year’s World Food Prize—regarded as the premier global award for food and agriculture—was held at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. The announcement was made by Foundation President Mashal Husain, with remarks given by Foundation CEO Tom Vilsack and Chair of the Laureate Selection Committee and National Medal of Science Recipient Dr. Gebisa Ejeta.   “Lelieveld lives by his conviction that access to safe food is a universal right—a philosophy shared by the late Dr. Norman Borlaug,” said Husain. “Through his lifelong commitment to harmonizing regulations, he has lowered trade barriers, prevented the unnecessary destruction of safe food, promoted innovative food safety technologies worldwide and reduced the risk of foodborne illness outbreaks.” Born in The Hague during World War II, Lelieveld’s first job was working in his father’s Indonesian-style food products factory. After earning a degree in electrical engineering from The Hague University of Applied Sciences, he joined Unilever as a researcher. Over the course of his career, he challenged conventional food safety practices—pioneering automated hygienic production methods, developing equipment that reduced the need for frequent sterilization and chemical preservatives, and advancing non-destructive techniques for testing food products. Lelieveld’s innovations reduced food waste, contamination risks and the reliance on excess salt, sugar and preservatives, establishing industry-wide standards still in use today. His work resulted in 11 patents and more than 1,000 contributions to Unilever’s scientific database. “I grew up right after the fearful years of Nazi oppression came to an end, in a liberated country with a renewed spirit of solidarity,” said Lelieveld. “There was much work to be done, and no time to complain. Besides a hands-on, optimistic approach on life in general, I developed some life-long rules, like a focus on helping others—instead of serving yourself.” Lelieveld had already built a remarkable career as a food safety researcher, innovator and founder of several international professional associations when he launched GHI. Drawing on his expertise and global network, he created a volunteer organization of thousands of scientists working to build international consensus on food standards and facilitate the safe and efficient flow of trade. While GHI’s ultimate goal is to harmonize legislation worldwide, it has also invested in capacity building through briefs, case studies, reports and webinars, training more than 4,000 professionals to lead safe food production in their own countries. “Companies, large and small, as well as all consumers are negatively affected by unjustified differences in regulations,” said Lelieveld. “The Global Harmonization Initiative, therefore, strives not only to reach scientific consensus but also to ensure that findings are accessible to everyone, requiring simplification without compromising scientific accuracy and translation into local languages.” Lelieveld has also led a series of initiatives addressing urgent challenges in global food systems. He spearheaded the creation of an international alert and whistleblowing network that enables experts in more than 100 countries to detect and respond to emerging food safety threats within 48 hours—helping protect consumers before isolated incidents escalate into broader crises. In the aftermath of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China, he mobilized GHI to develop a food safety manual for disaster zones, shaping emergency response protocols used in multiple regions. Through the same network, he also championed practical, community-based solutions. These include the Safe Cassava initiative, which reduces toxin-related neurological disease in children in sub-Saharan Africa, and pilot projects introducing atmospheric water generation in eight countries to expand access to safe drinking water. “Lelieveld was selected for translating food safety science into global regulations, legislation and practice, a movement spanning dozens of countries," said Dr. Ejeta. “His initiatives are estimated to have benefited millions of consumers worldwide.” Lelieveld has authored and co-authored 16 widely translated books that have influenced curricula and regulatory reform, and are used by universities and food companies. His contributions to food safety and security earned him an honorary doctorate from the National University of Food Science and Technology in Kyiv, and the title of Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau from the Dutch Royal House for outstanding international public health service. “Lelieveld could have retired after a remarkable career but instead, he chose to dedicate himself to the world’s most pressing food safety challenges,” said Vilsack. “He has saved countless lives and ensured that safe, nutritious food can reach people who need it most. His vision and persistence continue to transform food systems worldwide.”   The World Food Prize Foundation World Food Prize Foundation Names Agricultural Innovator Mark Gee to Council of Advisors http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49451/world_food_prize_foundation_names_agricultural_innovator_mark_gee_to_council_of_advisors Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49451/world_food_prize_foundation_names_agricultural_innovator_mark_gee_to_council_of_advisors The World Food Prize Foundation announced today the appointment of Mark Gee, genomic prediction and phenotyping engineer at Beck’s Hybrids, to the Foundation’s Council of Advisors, filling one of two seats reserved for early-career professionals.   “Dr. Norman Borlaug, founder of the World Food Prize, changed my life at 10 years old when he challenged me to make a difference,” said Gee. “As I continue my career, I’m honored to be part of an organization that recognizes the champions of global food security and empowers young people to tackle the challenge with fresh eyes.” That challenge from Dr. Borlaug sparked a lifelong relationship with the Foundation. Gee would go on to participate in the Iowa Youth Institute, and later, in the Global Youth Institute and served as a World Food Prize Foundation Borlaug-Ruan International Intern at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in India and at CIMMYT in Mexico. Over the past eight years, he has continued to support the Foundation’s youth education programs as a volunteer and mentor. An innovator with a deep commitment to global agriculture, Gee now develops AI-driven genomic selection models and advanced phenotyping sensors to improve crop performance and resilience. His career has focused on translating scientific discovery into practical agricultural solutions. Prior to joining Beck’s Hybrids, he helped develop patented pollen preservation technologies at PowerPollen and collaborated with researchers on advanced nutrition systems designed for long-duration space missions. “Mark represents the spirit of innovation and service that Dr. Borlaug championed,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “Meeting Dr. Borlaug and participating in our Youth Programs set Mark on a path that would shape his life and career. From that pivotal beginning to a career bridging advanced science, global experience and a deep commitment to inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders, Mark embodies our mission.” Beyond his scientific work, Gee has also demonstrated significant leadership in higher education and governance. While completing his doctorate at Purdue University, he was appointed by the Indiana governor to the Purdue Board of Trustees. In that role, he helped guide the university through a presidential transition, provided fiduciary oversight of university operations and helped shape institutional policy during the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of artificial intelligence. “Mark’s work sits at the cross-section of innovation, agriculture and global food security,” said Tom Vilsack, CEO, World Food Prize Foundation and Chair, Council of Advisors. “From the cutting-edge science he works on daily, to his long-standing dedication to the Foundation’s youth programs, he brings a unique perspective that will strengthen our mission to advance innovation and collaboration in feeding the world.” Gee holds a Ph.D. in plant genetics, a master of science in biological engineering, and three bachelor’s degrees in biological engineering, biochemistry and agronomy. The World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors, appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, includes former heads of state and government ministers, and leaders in food and agricultural science, education, research and policy. Members provide the Foundation Board and staff with insights and advice on advancing the mission of the organization and upholding the legacy of Dr. Borlaug.    The World Food Prize Foundation World Food Prize Foundation to Announce 2026 Laureate at Ceremony in New York http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49449/world_food_prize_foundation_to_announce_2026_laureate_at_ceremony_in_new_york Thu, 12 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49449/world_food_prize_foundation_to_announce_2026_laureate_at_ceremony_in_new_york WHAT: The 2026 World Food Prize Laureate(s), recipient(s) of the prestigious $500,000 award, will be announced during a livestreamed event featuring a panel discussion entitled: “The World Food Prize at 40: Food Security in a Strategic Age.” Awarded by the World Food Prize Foundation, the World Food Prize is the preeminent global award recognizing individuals who have enhanced human development and confronted global hunger through improving the quality, quantity or availability of food for all. Following the announcement of the 2026 Laureate, panelists will take stock of how finance, science and geopolitics are reshaping global food security, and what policies can strengthen our resilience against climate shocks, supply disruptions and growing strategic competition. WHEN: 08.30 ET/14.30 CET, Wednesday, March 25 WHERE: Council on Foreign Relations, The Harold Pratt House & Peterson Hall, 58 East 68th Street, New York, New York  The event is invitation-only, open to media but will also be livestreamed via <a href="http://www.worldfoodprize.org/live">www.worldfoodprize.org/live</a>, beginning at 09.00 ET/15.00 CET. REGISTER: Members of the media, please register <a href="https://world-food-prize-laureate-announcement.eventbrite.com">HERE</a>.  WHO: The announcement of the 2026 World Food Prize Laureate will include remarks from:  Tom Vilsack | CEO, World Food Prize Foundation  Mashal Husain | President, World Food Prize Foundation Gebisa Ejeta | 2009 World Food Prize Laureate and Chair, Laureate Selection Committee Following the announcement, a moderated discussion will feature: Tom Vilsack | CEO, World Food Prize Foundation Sharon Burke | Founder and President, Ecospherics Swathi Veeravalli | Former Director for Climate Security and Adaptation, United States National Security Council Michael Werz | Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations Further information about the 2026 Laureate(s), including a biography and photos, will be available after the announcement.   The World Food Prize Foundation Discover Iowa History and Join the World Food Prize Foundation at Family Day at the Hall of Laureates http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49448/discover_iowa_history_and_join_the_world_food_prize_foundation_at_family_day_at_the_hall_of_laureates Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49448/discover_iowa_history_and_join_the_world_food_prize_foundation_at_family_day_at_the_hall_of_laureates WHAT: The World Food Prize Foundation invites the community for a day of interactive activities, guided tours and hands-on learning in the breathtaking Hall of Laureates. Whether you're exploring history, discovering inspiring stories, or simply enjoying a fun-filled outing, there’s something for everyone. WHEN: Tuesday, March 17 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. WHERE: Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates          100 Locust Street          Des Moines, Iowa, 50319  WHO: The World Food Prize Foundation is celebrating National Ag Week and Iowa History Month, culminating in the birth anniversary of our founder, Dr. Norman Borlaug, on March 25.  WHY: Discover the incredible legacy of Dr. Borlaug, Nobel Prize Laureate and the visionary behind the Green Revolution who nourished generations. Dive into the history of the World Food Prize and hear the inspiring stories of our Laureates, whose groundbreaking work continues to shape the future of global food security. This FREE event is a great way to learn, explore and make memories together. Registration is encouraged! Register <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-day-at-the-hall-of-laureates-tickets-1982883675451">HERE</a>.   The World Food Prize Foundation High Stakes for a Higher Purpose: Community Invited to Casino-Themed Gala at the Hall of Laureates http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49447/high_stakes_for_a_higher_purpose_community_invited_to_casinothemed_gala_at_the_hall_of_laureates Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49447/high_stakes_for_a_higher_purpose_community_invited_to_casinothemed_gala_at_the_hall_of_laureates  An evening of high-stakes excitement will serve a higher purpose this spring as the World Food Prize Foundation celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates with a casino-themed gala The community is invited to attend the <a href="http://worldfoodprize.org/gala">Hall of Laureates Spring Gala</a> on Friday, May 15, 2026, bringing together supporters for a night of entertainment, celebration and fundraising inside one of Iowa’s most historic landmarks. Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, the facility was built in 1900 and served as the Des Moines Public Library for almost 100 years. Now the global headquarters for the World Food Prize Foundation and named in honor of the Prize’s founder Norman E. Borlaug, this historic landmark stands as a testament to Iowa’s enduring leadership in agriculture and its profound global impact.  The Hall embodies the very spirit of our state: resilient, visionary and deeply rooted in the land. Every dollar raised during this extraordinary evening stays right here at home, supporting the preservation and protection of the treasured landmark. “The Hall of Laureates Spring Gala is a celebration of community, history and purpose,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “Every ticket and every bid helps protect this historic landmark and power the mission of the Foundation to transform the global food system.” The evening will begin with an exclusive VIP cocktail reception in the Hall’s beautiful garden from 6 to 7 p.m., offering guests a chance to enjoy one of downtown Des Moines’ most charming outdoor spaces while mingling over a hosted bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. From 7 to 9 p.m., guests will enjoy casino games—including blackjack, craps, roulette and poker—along with a silent auction, live entertainment and dancing throughout the evening. Auction results and the grand prize winner will be announced at 9 p.m., followed by continued dancing and entertainment until 10 p.m. The Hall of Laureates, while headquarters to the Foundation, is also a museum and event venue dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Borlaug, the Iowa-born agricultural scientist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate who founded the World Food Prize 40 years ago. The historic building serves as a gathering place for local and global conversations on food security, hosting major events like the Iowa Hunger Summit, the Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application award ceremony, and past World Food Prize Laureate Announcements. In addition to welcoming international delegations and offering weekly public tours, the Hall functions as a meeting and event space, including weddings and community gatherings, and features a beautiful garden that complements the downtown setting. Every dollar raised during the Gala will support preservation of the Hall of Laureates and further the mission of the Foundation.  <a href="/en/learn_and_act/2026_hall_of_laureates_spring_gala/">Ticket and Table Pricing:</a> Individual tickets: $95 VIP tickets: $195 Table: $1,000 VIP table: $1,800 Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Gala are also available. For more information about tickets, tables and sponsorships, contact Grace Dunham at <a href="http://gdunham@worldfoodprize.org">gdunham@worldfoodprize.org</a>. The World Food Prize Foundation World Food Prize Foundation Empowers Three Emerging Student Leaders Through Spring Internship Program http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49446/world_food_prize_foundation_empowers_three_emerging_student_leaders_through_spring_internship_program Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49446/world_food_prize_foundation_empowers_three_emerging_student_leaders_through_spring_internship_program The World Food Prize Foundation has welcomed three new interns for the spring semester. Each academic term, the Foundation selects a cohort of high-achieving students for its Internship Program, designed to cultivate emerging leaders across communications, research, event production and archival management while providing hands-on experience across the organization’s core functions. “We are dedicated to fostering an environment where interns feel supported, challenged and inspired to advance their professional development,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “This internship offers meaningful insight into the Foundation’s mission and strategic objectives, while providing students with hands-on experience in dynamic career fields. By working alongside our team, interns gain practical skills, expand their networks and develop a deeper understanding of the global issues that drive our work.” Throughout the semester, interns will contribute to projects supporting the Foundation’s work in global food security while building professional experience in their respective fields. “This internship gives me the opportunity to explore food security, agribusiness and international development in a way that broadens my perspective,” said Reid Stevens, global programs and strategic engagement intern. “I’m excited to engage with these issues through an organization that has both global impact and strong local connections.” The internship program also introduces students to the broader agricultural and humanitarian challenges the Foundation seeks to address. “What makes this internship unique is the global impact behind the work,” said Isabella Martens, communications and public relations intern. “I’m gaining valuable communications experience while learning more about agriculture and the fight against hunger.” Students also gain exposure to the historical and institutional legacy of the organization through work with the Foundation’s archives. “Working with the archives offers a direct connection to history,” said Mel Munoz, archival intern. “It’s an exciting opportunity to learn how to properly preserve and care for important materials. Being able to help protect these records means future generations will be able to learn from them.” 2026 Foundation Spring interns: <ul> <li>Isabella Martens | Grand View University | Class of 2027 | Communication and Media Practice </li> <li>Mel Munoz | Drake University | Class of 2027 | Art History </li> <li>Reid Stevens | Drake University | Class of 2026 | Politics and Economics  </li> </ul> The World Food Prize Foundation Celebrating Science In Action: Nominations Now Open for $10,000 Borlaug Field Award http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49442/celebrating_science_in_action_nominations_now_open_for_10000_borlaug_field_award Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49442/celebrating_science_in_action_nominations_now_open_for_10000_borlaug_field_award The World Food Prize Foundation announced today that nominations are now open for the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by The Rockefeller Foundation. The $10,000 award honors an individual under age 40 for exceptional, science-driven achievement in international agriculture and food production. Recipients reflect the intellectual courage, persistence and determination demonstrated by Dr. Borlaug early in his career as a young scientist in Mexico working to combat global hunger and poverty. “This award celebrates not only exceptional achievements, but also the bold spirit of innovation and resilience that drives real progress in global food systems,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “It has accelerated the careers of young leaders whose science-based solutions carry forward Dr. Borlaug’s vision of a world where everyone can thrive.” The 2026 Recipient will be featured in a special award ceremony during the <a href="/index.cfm?nodeID=97144&audienceID=1">Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue</a> in October. The Borlaug Dialogue, which culminates with the World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony, gathers innovative experts and global leaders to address key food security and agriculture issues, fostering collaboration among over 1,500 attendees from 65+ countries each year. Since its establishment in 2011, the Borlaug Field Award has been awarded to 14 outstanding individuals representing diverse backgrounds across the globe. The 2026 Recipient will join this outstanding cohort in being recognized on a global level for their leadership, innovation and impact in food systems. The 2025 Recipient of the Borlaug Field Award was <a href="/en/nominations/borlaug_field_award/20202025_recipients/2025_barchenger/">Dr. Derek Barchenger</a>, Senior Scientist and Head of the Global Pepper Breeding Program at the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg). He is recognized for advancing pepper breeding to boost nutrition, productivity and climate resilience for hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers worldwide.  Under his leadership, WorldVeg released dozens of improved pepper varieties, pioneered innovations in heat- and disease-tolerant breeding and strengthened global partnerships to ensure these advances reach farmers across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Barchenger’s work reflects a lifelong dedication to demand-driven, science-based solutions that enhance sustainable agriculture, elevate crop diversity and create real-world impact for communities around the globe. “Receiving the Borlaug Field Award is an incredible honor, and it affirms the power of science when it’s rooted in the field,” said Barchenger. “For millions of farmers, pepper is everything—an income, a tradition and a future. It’s an unsung hero of urban and rural livelihoods, nutrition and resilient food systems. I’m extremely proud of the improved pepper varieties we’ve developed, tested and shared, and I’m equally proud of the WorldVeg team and the global network that has helped make it all possible.” The individuals chosen to be recipients of the Borlaug Field Award are selected by an anonymous international jury chaired by Dr. W. Ronnie Coffman of Cornell University. The deadline to nominate is June 1. To learn more about the nomination process and requirements, please visit <a href="http://worldfoodprize.org/BFA26">worldfoodprize.org/BFA26</a>.   The World Food Prize Foundation Iowa State University’s Incoming President David Cook Brings Research and Innovation Expertise to World Food Prize Foundation Board of Directors http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49440/iowa_state_universitys_incoming_president_david_cook_brings_research_and_innovation_expertise_to_world_food_prize_foundation_board_of_directors Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49440/iowa_state_universitys_incoming_president_david_cook_brings_research_and_innovation_expertise_to_world_food_prize_foundation_board_of_directors The World Food Prize Foundation announced today the appointment of David Cook, president-designate of Iowa State University, to the Foundation Board of Directors. “President-designate Cook brings a strong record of leadership at a land-grant institution and a deep understanding of the role research universities play in advancing innovation, economic development and global food security,” said Paul Schickler, Chair, World Food Prize Foundation, Board of Directors. “His experience strengthening academic excellence, expanding research capacity and building strategic partnerships will be a tremendous asset to the Foundation. As we continue to uphold Dr. Norman Borlaug’s vision, leaders like President-designate Cook help ensure the Foundation remains a catalyst for collaboration and practical solutions to end global hunger.” The Board of Directors assures the financial integrity of the Foundation by adopting the budget and assuring that the Foundation's activities conform to that budget. The Board also selects Foundation officers—who serve on the Board— and the members of the Foundation’s Council of Advisors. Each Board member serves a three-year term, and as Cook joins, outgoing Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen will be ending her term.   Cook is the 17th president-designate of Iowa State University, set to begin his tenure on March 1, 2026. He currently serves as the 15th president of North Dakota State University, a land-grant institution he has led since May 2022, where he has focused on stabilizing enrollment, increasing student retention and graduation rates, expanding research funding and strengthening community and industry partnerships.  "I am honored to be selected to serve on the World Food Prize Foundation Board of Directors and support its mission to end global hunger,” said Cook. “As a land-grant university, Iowa State also is deeply committed to this work. I look forward to building on our strong partnership with the World Food Prize Foundation to advance research, education and collaboration, and inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators who will help solve this grand challenge." An Ames native and Iowa State alumnus, Cook earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and speech communication from Iowa State University and both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in organizational communication from the University of Kansas. Before his presidency at North Dakota State, he held leadership roles at the University of Kansas, including vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development, and also held several leadership roles at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City. As a faculty researcher, Cook has been principal or co-principal investigator on nearly $11 million in external grant funding, published nearly 70 articles and book chapters, and taught more than 25 courses in areas such as health policy and management, organizational communication and strategic marketing. The World Food Prize Foundation Engineering and Agribusiness Leader Charles Sukup Joins World Food Prize Foundation Board of Directors http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49436/engineering_and_agribusiness_leader_charles_sukup_joins_world_food_prize_foundation_board_of_directors Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49436/engineering_and_agribusiness_leader_charles_sukup_joins_world_food_prize_foundation_board_of_directors The World Food Prize Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles Sukup, former president and CEO and current board co-chair of Sukup Manufacturing Co., to the Foundation’s <a href="/en/about_the_foundation/leadership/foundation_board_of_directors/">Board of Directors</a>.  “We are honored to welcome Charles Sukup to our Board of Directors,” said Paul Schickler, Board Chair, World Food Prize Foundation. “Charles brings a lifetime of leadership in agricultural innovation, global perspective and a steadfast commitment to advancing food security. His deep expertise in engineering, family-business leadership and global market development will be invaluable as we work to expand impact, strengthen partnerships and further the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug.”  The Foundation Board of Directors assures the financial integrity of the Foundation by adopting the budget and assuring that the Foundation's activities conform to that budget. The Board also selects Foundation officers—who serve on the Board— and the members of the Foundation’s Council of Advisors.  Sukup is a seasoned engineer and business leader with a distinguished career in agricultural manufacturing. He served for 25 years as president and CEO of <a href="https://sukup.com/">Sukup Manufacturing Co.</a> in Sheffield, Iowa. It is the world’s largest family-owned manufacturer of grain bins, dryers, and grain handling and storage equipment. He currently serves as co-chairman of the board of directors, continuing to provide strategic leadership and guidance to the company and the industry it serves. “The World Food Prize is a truly global award that recognizes those who have contributed the most to feeding the world,” Sukup said. “It is a treasure which our company has supported from its early years. The World Food Prize Foundation not only recognizes contributors to food security but engages young people with its Youth Programs. This became very personal when our daughter participated in the Youth Institute and sat next to Norman Borlaug and a whole new world opened to her. The World Food Prize Foundation has provided hundreds of young people with an awareness, passion and opportunity to overcome hunger and sustainably feed the world. I am very honored to be part of this organization that highlights providing the most basic need—feeding a hungry world.” Sukup has played a prominent leadership role across national, state and regional business and agricultural organizations. He has served as president of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), chair of the Iowa Association of Business & Industry (ABI), and chair of America’s Cultivation Corridor. In addition, he serves as a professor of practice at Iowa State University, collaborating with the next generation of engineers and industry leaders. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in agricultural engineering from Iowa State University and is a registered professional engineer. An inventor for 14 U. S. patents, he is a member of the National Academy of Engineering—one of the  profession’s highest honors—for his leadership and contributions to agricultural manufacturing and innovation. The World Food Prize Foundation Calling Iowa Changemakers: The Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award Nominations Are Now Open http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49435/calling_iowa_changemakers_the_robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_humanitarian_award_nominations_are_now_open Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49435/calling_iowa_changemakers_the_robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_humanitarian_award_nominations_are_now_open Nominations for the <a href="https://www.iowahungersummit.org/en/robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_award/about_the_iowa_shares_award/">Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award</a> are now open through April 15, 2026. Established in 2013 by the World Food Prize Foundation, the Iowa SHARES Award recognizes an Iowan who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in uplifting their community through dedicated humanitarian service that confronts hunger at home or abroad. “Governor Ray set a powerful example of leadership and service,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “The Iowa SHARES Award honors Iowans who carry that legacy forward by confronting hunger with courage, persistence and impact. At its core, the Iowa SHARES Award is about people stepping up for one another.” The 2025 Iowa SHARES Award was presented to <a href="https://www.iowahungersummit.org/index.cfm?nodeID=97057&audienceID=1">Ann McGlynn</a>, founder and executive director of Tapestry Farms in Davenport, Iowa. Through reclaiming underutilized land, Tapestry Farms has grown more than 20,000 pounds of fresh produce, strengthening local food systems and nourishing communities facing food insecurity. “Some of the most important people in my life are building their lives in Iowa because of Robert Ray's persistence,” McGlynn said. “Our work at Tapestry Farms seeks to nourish people just as he did. I consider it one of the greatest honors of my life to receive an award named for Governor Ray.” Past Iowa SHARES winners include: <a href="https://www.iowahungersummit.org/en/robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_award/20232025_recipients/2024_blessman/">Jim Blessman </a>(2024), founder of nonprofit Blessman International <a href="https://www.iowahungersummit.org/en/robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_award/20132019_recipients/2019_nelson_and_nelson/">R.W. and Mary Nelson </a>(2019), founders of Kemin Industries <a href="https://www.iowahungersummit.org/en/robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_award/20132019_recipients/2015_melby/">Reverend Russ Melby</a> (2015), raised over $12 million to fight hunger in Iowa <a href="https://www.iowahungersummit.org/en/robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_award/20132019_recipients/2014_fredrick/">Merry Fredrick</a> (2014), former executive director of Self-Help International  <a href="https://www.iowahungersummit.org/en/robert_d_ray_iowa_shares_award/20132019_recipients/2013_wilson/">Lucille Morgan Wilson</a> (2013), founder of the annual Des Moines Area Hunger Hike Nominees should have a strong connection to Iowa and will be evaluated based on their impact, leadership, persistence and humanitarian service confronting hunger at home or abroad, all qualities demonstrated by Governor Ray through his work in humanitarian assistance and service. Nominees must be living and in sufficient health to attend and deliver an acceptance speech at the <a href="https://www.iowahungersummit.org/">Iowa Hunger Summit</a> on July 22, 2026. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit <a href="http://www.iowahungersummit.org/SHARESnominate">www.iowahungersummit.org/SHARESnominate</a>. If you would like to promote nominations, use our <a href="https://trello.com/b/sgLyIWNX">social media toolkit</a>.    The World Food Prize Foundation World Food Prize Foundation Debuts Official Podcast Elevating Global Hunger Conversations http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49432/world_food_prize_foundation_debuts_official_podcast_elevating_global_hunger_conversations Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 News and Press Release http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428-1/49432/world_food_prize_foundation_debuts_official_podcast_elevating_global_hunger_conversations The World Food Prize Foundation announced the launch of its official podcast, hosted by Foundation CEO Tom Vilsack, creating a new global platform for meaningful dialogue at the intersection of food, science and human progress.  Released twice monthly, The <a href="/en/newsroom/world_food_prize_podcast/">World Food Prize Podcast: Dialogue that Feeds The World</a> will go beyond the surface and feature in-depth conversations with leaders from across the global food system, uncovering the stories, breakthroughs and lived experiences driving solutions to hunger, nutrition and sustainable agriculture—amplifying the voices working every day to ensure food security for all. “Through this podcast, we want to unite diverse perspectives around a shared vision: a food and nutrition secure future for everyone, everywhere,” said Vilsack. “Each conversation will provide listeners with a unique window into the fight against hunger and the real-world ideas and partnerships that are shaping solutions across the global food system.” The premiere episode features Vilsack in conversation with Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, who shares how her unique upbringing, her personal experience with food insecurity and how her own health journey have shaped her approach to leading Feeding America and addressing domestic food insecurity. Babineaux-Fontenot also discusses current pressures on the domestic food bank network and actions she believes everyone can take to help end hunger in their communities. “There is not one county or parish in the United States of America that does not have people living within it who are experiencing hunger,” said Babineaux-Fontenot. “Hunger is [the entire country’s] challenge, it is in every county, no matter how wealthy. When people have a better awareness of how ubiquitous hunger is…then they tend to galvanize and want to be a part of solutions, but unfortunately many do not know that yet.”  The next episode will be released on Tuesday, Feb. 17, and will focus on scientific advancements in agricultural production and the business case for identifying ways to more sustainably produce food.  Over the course of the year, in roughly 25-minute episodes, Vilsack will sit down with policymakers, scientists, business leaders, farmers, innovators and other changemakers from around the world, exploring the ideas and actions that are shaping how we feed a growing planet. Examining the impact and realities of global hunger, the importance of science and innovation in solving it, and the need for more people to join the anti-hunger fight will be key themes across the series. The World Food Prize Podcast would not be possible without the support of <a href="https://www.wellmark.com/about/improving-health?utm_medium=news_release&utm_source=world_food_prize&utm_campaign=health-improvement">The Wellmark Foundation</a>, which recognizes that nutritious food is the backbone of a healthy society.  “Good health doesn’t start in the doctor’s office, it starts in the home, around the kitchen table,” said Laura Jackson, executive vice president of Health Improvement at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and chair of The Wellmark Foundation. “By supporting the World Food Prize Podcast, we are investing in conversations that elevate the importance of access to nutritious food and the role it plays in building healthier families and communities.” The podcast marks the 40th anniversary of the <a href="/en/nominations/world_food_prize/">World Food Prize</a>, the preeminent award in food and agriculture. Founded by <a href="/index.cfm?nodeID=87448&audienceID=1">Dr. Norman E. Borlaug</a>, the $500,000 award recognizes outstanding contributions in any field involved in the world food supply system.  The World Food Prize Podcast is available on the Foundation’s <a href="/en/newsroom/world_food_prize_podcast/">website</a> and all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJmPUHZcH-ubsshsKAh1mBJvANIcF7b0S&si=O8wkoFb5QUPIdToP">YouTube</a>. Listen now to hear changemakers shaping the future of global food security.   The World Food Prize Foundation