This
week’s blog features information and links about the World Food Prize and the
Borlaug CAST Communication Award. The reason? These events are part of
concerted efforts to communicate the importance of agriculture and its mission
to feed the world. The award winners inspire others to work toward these goals—they
and the hundreds of other participants involved with these events are part of
the hands-on spirit of agriculture.
Norman
Borlaug got his hands dirty while developing wheat varieties and working in
field labs, and his efforts are credited with saving millions of people. But he
knew it would take more to thwart mass hunger. In the 1980s, he “envisioned a prize that
would honor those who have made significant and measurable contributions to
improving the world's food supply. Beyond recognizing these people for their
personal accomplishments, Borlaug saw the prize as a means of establishing role
models who would inspire others.” Since
then, dedicated enthusiasts such as Ambassador Kenneth Quinn have turned the World
Food Prize into the “Nobel Prize of Agriculture.”
During
the week of October16-20, world leaders, scientists, and agriculturalists will
gather in Des Moines, Iowa, for the twenty-sixth annual World Food Prize
Forum. The prize honors outstanding individuals who have made vital
contributions to improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food
throughout the world. The 2012 World Food Prize will be awarded to Dr. Daniel Hillel
for his role in conceiving and implementing a radically new mode of bringing
water to crops in arid and dry land regions--known as
"micro-irrigation."
More
than 1,500 participants from at least 70 countries are expected to take part in
the week-long World Food Prize series of events, including the
Iowa Hunger Summit, the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, the Laureate
Award Ceremony, and the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute. Click here for information about the World Food Prize.
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| Dr. Carl Winter |
The
Council for Agricultural Science and Technology has become significantly
involved with the annual World Food Prize event, and during a Wednesday,
October 17, morning session, CAST will present its Borlaug CAST Communication
Award (BCCA). With Croplife Foundation helping to sponsor the award, CAST
EVP/CEO John Bonner will present the impressive BCCA sculpture to Dr. Carl
Winter. A well-known scientist, writer, and speaker, Winter will not receive
his award passively. The man is known as an entertainer, and he won’t be able
to take hold of the trophy without turning to the songs, parody, and humor he
routinely uses to inform others about nutrition and food safety. For a taste of
his methods, click here for a short bio and example of his parodies. by dan gogerty
Check the CAST website for information about these awards and for access to ag publications and news items.
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