#BorlaugBlog
For 30 years, the World Food Prize has worked to build on the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug, the man who saved a billion lives, by recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. Our Laureates, our close partners, and our staff work tirelessly to alleviate hunger through innovative approaches, and we hope to share their expertise, research, and personal stories on The Borlaug Blog.
In the Borlaug Blog, we will occasionally post a blog featuring stories, research, and expert opinion from our Laureates, partners, youth representatives and staff. It is our hope that this blog series will create a conversation between farmers, NGOs, CEOs and people across the globe.
Launching a New African Investment Marketplace
By Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina posted on
06/11/2018
at 8:00 AM
Africa is restless, entrepreneurial, ambitious and brimming with opportunities for enterprise, business and investment.
Many refer to Africa as having potential, but potential can’t be eaten, harvested or sold for profit. Potential remains theoretical until it is converted into action.
Africa’s economies are generally robust and buoyant, despite global reverses and commodity...
Small and Impactful
By Mikayla Sullivan posted on
06/04/2018
at 12:00 PM
My journey with Dr. Norman Borlaug began when I was in middle school. While I was working on a National History Day project, I began delving into the life of a farm town boy who went on to change the world.
Since my mom is from Cresco, the same town where...
Experiencing the Best in the World of Food and Agriculture
By Chris Wehrman posted on
05/28/2018
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My blog title sums up my feelings about serving as a Docent in the Laureate Society of the World Food Prize. I absolutely feel that the substance of the many meaningful stories within the walls of the Hall of Laureates evokes wonder, excitement and great appreciation for all that the...
The Roads Taken
By Elizabeth Grabau posted on
05/21/2018
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“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood;”
Those are the first lines in the “The Road Not Taken,” by Robert Frost. I first recited this poem as a part of a speech given just months before starting college to...
Why do we waste wastewater?
By Maggie Catley-Carlson posted on
05/11/2018
at 6:18 PM
I learned so much about water management especially in water scarce areas- from Akissa Bahri, an amazing Tunisian who has served with the African Development Bank, the FAO, IWMI, and the Global Partnership among many others. Here is her very concise chart on the advantages of the reuse of treated...
My Biggest Impact
By Nina Ford posted on
05/07/2018
at 11:46 AM
There have been many people in my college career that have impacted my life, but I never imagined that Dr. Norman Borlaug would be one of them.
I started my internship with The World Food Prize Foundation during my junior year of college at Iowa State University, and my life has...
Iowa Youth Institute: A Catalyst for Change
By Kelsey Tyrrell posted on
04/30/2018
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Ask any high school student what career they are most interested in and you’re most likely to get a common group of responses such as doctor, teacher, lawyer, artist, or entrepreneur. This shows that young people want to make a difference; they are excited to share their talents with the...
Multidisciplinary thinkers at the first Youth Institute in Europe
By Louise O. Fresco posted on
04/23/2018
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The cow in the field is tracked by a GPS, the pasture quality is measured by a drone, and the milk on the supermarket shelf can be traced back to that specific cow. Your blood pressure is measured by your FitBit, an app monitors your protein requirement and your fridge...
Meet the Women Filling the Gender Gap in Agriculture
By Kait Partanen posted on
04/16/2018
at 8:00 AM
If we had the chance to lift 150 million more people out of hunger – why wouldn’t we jump at it?
The gender gap in agriculture is stopping us from doing this. On average, women farmers grow 20-30 percent less than their male counterparts, due to unequal access to productive resources...
Dreams and a Business Born in Iowa
By Rachael Cox posted on
04/09/2018
at 8:00 AM
Sixteen years ago, as a young woman in Iowa with a dream to end world hunger, I timidly asked Norman Borlaug how I could follow in his footsteps. He said to pick a discipline and study, study, study! At the time, I had hoped for a more exciting answer from...