Colorado GROW Youth Institute

The Colorado GROW Youth Institute is a transformative experience where high school students engage with local leaders and agriculture experts on critical global challenges, participate in hands-on activities and explore meaningful ways to make a difference in Colorado and around the world. 

The Colorado GROW Youth Institute is hosted by the International Agriculture team in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University. The institute takes place at the CSU Spur campus in Denver.

  • Date: April 13, 2027
  • Venue: Colorado State University Spur campus in Denver
  • Registration Deadline: March 16, 2027
  • Paper Submission Deadline: March 16, 2027
  • Global Challenge Paper: To participate in the Colorado GROW Youth Institute, high school students research an issue related to food security and write a paper under the supervision of a teacher or mentor.
  • Cost: There is no registration cost to participate in the Institute and meals will be provided during the event. However, both student and adult participants must organize their own transportation to and from the event in Denver, Colorado.
  • Eligibility: Ninth through twelfth grade students are eligible to participate in the Colorado GROW Youth Institute.
Student Registration

For any questions about the Colorado GROW Youth Institute, please contact: Dr. Aryn Baxter and Rebecca Popara Lorenzo, csu_spur_coloradogrow@mail.colostate.edu or 970-297-3636.

Benefits of Participating

Students who participate in the Colorado GROW Youth Institute earn recognition as a Borlaug Scholar and become eligible to be invited as a student delegate to attend the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. Participating high school students have the opportunity to:

  • Present research and recommendations on ways to solve key global challenges in a short speech and small group discussions with leading agriculture experts;
  • Earn a scholarship to Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences;
  • Become eligible for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, an all expenses-paid, eight-week hands-on experience for students to work with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers around the world;
  • Connect with other student leaders from across Colorado to share ideas, identify solutions to these problems and build lasting friendships;
  • Explore the issues, current research and opportunities to make a difference with organizations based in Colorado;
  • Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in Colorado working to improve food security around the world; and
  • Have their research paper evaluated by the World Food Prize Foundation.

How to Participate

The World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Challenge curriculum is designed to empower high school students to explore, analyze and solve the world’s most pressing problems related to global food security, agriculture and sustainability issues.

To participate, a student must write a three to five page research paper on a country and a food security related topic. Each student will then share this research at a World Food Prize Foundation Youth Institute. The Foundation believes that elevating young voices is crucial to creating a more food-secure and sustainable world and we want to hear your solutions.

Global Challenge Paper Instructions