#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.
The Borlaug-Ruan Internship
By Rachel Ganson posted on
09/25/2017
at 10:14 AM
Rachel Ganson
My first morning as a Global Youth Institute participant, I quickly learned two things about food security and agricultural sustainability: first, there was an overwhelming amount of information I did not know; second, learning about and addressing these issues would be a lifelong passion. Throughout the weekend, I was...
The Global Youth Institute: A Transformative Experience for Students and Educators
By Kraig Bowers posted on
09/18/2017
at 10:45 AM
Kraig Bowers
The World Food Prize Global Youth Institute was a transformative experience for my students’ educational vision and personal journey. As an agricultural educator of 14 years, finding time to fit any new activity into our program’s schedule was nearly impossible. The year was already booked full of events that...
From Iowa to India: Combating Mycotoxins in the Footsteps of a Revolutionary
By Anthony Wenndt posted on
09/12/2017
at 10:21 AM
Of the many things we can learn from history, my favorite is that powerful movements are often born of humble beginnings. I am proud that the Borlaug story began in Cresco, just hours from the Iowa farm that I shall forever consider home. Perhaps those who are wrought from the...
The Role of Policy in Implementation of Dr. Borlaug’s Message: “Take It To the Farmer”
By Bram Govaerts posted on
09/05/2017
at 9:35 AM
Dr. Bram Govaerts
People are often discouraged by the prospect of dealing with an administrative procedure in a government office, whether that may be requesting a revision of taxes paid, registering for public health services or updating a driver’s license. Before we know it, we find ourselves trying to complete a...
My Passion: The World Food Prize
By Jody Beimer posted on
08/28/2017
at 9:08 AM
Jody Beimer
I am pleased to be part of the conversation with other Borlaug Bloggers! We all have Dr. Norman Borlaug in common by: his message of improving the quality, quantity and availability of food as our mission statement; an appreciation of the Borlaug Laureates’ accomplishments; and Dr. Borlaug’s personal character...
Technology and Empowerment: Fulfilling the Green Revolution’s promise to disrupt systems of suffering.
By Sir Fazle Hasan Abed posted on
08/21/2017
at 9:08 AM
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed
When I began working with farmers struggling with poverty in 1972, I was a young accountant, fresh from a job in the finance department of Shell Oil. I had lofty ideas of how I could help transform our new nation, Bangladesh, which was then one of the...
My George Washington Carver Internship Experience
By Meghna Ravishankar posted on
08/14/2017
at 9:07 AM
Meghna Ravishankar
Almost two years ago I unintentionally happened upon The World Food Prize Foundation – and there blossomed a series of professional and intellectual relationships and friendships I didn’t know were possible. My first George Washington Carver Internship at the WFP was in the summer of 2015. I came back...
Personal Reflections on Dr. Norman Borlaug: From the Green Revolution to the Gene Revolution – and Beyond!
By Dr. Robert Fraley posted on
08/07/2017
at 9:07 AM
Dr. Robert Fraley
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years since Monsanto introduced the first commercial, genetically modified soybean, corn and cotton seeds. By contrast, the 15+ years of research that led to those milestones often felt very long. I was elated when my colleagues and I...
Water for Food
By Maggie Catley-Carlson posted on
07/31/2017
at 9:07 AM
What’s the issue?
No water, no life.
A big part of this stark reality is that all food production requires water. There are very dangerous patterns in water use for our collective food production, which takes over 2/3 of the water humans use: energy, industries and municipalities take most of the...
When the Green Revolution Came to India
By Badrinarayan Barwale posted on
07/25/2017
at 2:38 PM
Dr. B.R. Barwale
India in the 1950’s-60s was going through a great food shortage. Food became so scarce that ships destined for other countries had to be diverted to India. Our situation was one where food went ship to mouth.
The government put many restrictions on food consumption. There were restrictions on...