Nicole Barreca Writing Samples

MEDIA ADVISORY
Press Contact:
Nicole Barreca, Director of Communications and Events
+1.515.245.3735 (direct), +1.563.271.2995 (cell), or nbarreca@wordlfoodprize.org
World Food Prize Announces its 2015 Laureate
U. S. Secretary of Agriculture to Give Keynote Address
The 2015 winner of the prestigious $250,000 World Food Prize will be announced at the U.S. Department of State in
Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, July 1, at 1:30 p.m. EDT. Awarded by the World Food Prize Foundation, the Prize has
been referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture” and is the most prominent global award recognizing an
individual who has enhanced human development and confronted hunger by improving the quality, quantity or
availability of food in the world.
Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Charles Rivkin will host the World Food
Prize Laureate Announcement Ceremony. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will give the keynote address and
Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, president of the World Food Prize, will announce the name of the 2015 Laureate.
WHEN:
Wednesday, July 1, at 1:30 p.m. EDT/12:30 p.m. CDT.
Pre-set time for cameras is 12:45 p.m. from the C Street Entrance Lobby. Final access time for reporters and still
photographers is 1:00 p.m. from the C Street Entrance Lobby.
WHERE:
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Media should enter via the 23rd
Street entrance.
RSVPs:
This event is open to the media.
Media must present one of the following for entry: (1) a U.S. government-issued identification card (State Department,
White House, Congress, Defense Department, Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identity card, or (3) a letter
from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by official photo
identification (driver’s license or passport).
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE:
Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, founded the World Food Prize in 1986. Borlaug saw the
Prize as a means of establishing role models who would inspire others, and since then has been awarded to outstanding
individuals who have made breakthrough achievements contributing to improving the quality, quantity or availability of
food throughout the world. Past winners include ex Presidents of Brazil and Ghana, John Kufour and Luis Inácio Lula Da
Silva; US Senators Bob Dole and George McGovern; Grameen Bank founder Dr Muhammad Yunus; and Ex Executive
Director of the World Food Programme Catherine Bertini.
Each year, the Laureate is honored at a three-day symposium in October held in Des Moines, Iowa: home of the World
Food Prize Foundation. Registration for the Borlaug Dialogues will be open from July 1, 2015, at
www.worldfoodprize.org/register.
SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter: @WorldFoodPrize
Facebook: /WorldFoodPrize
Hashtag: #FoodPrize15
More information, including a biography and photos of the 2015 World Food Prize Laureate, will be available online
after the announcement, at www.worldfoodprize.org/2015laureate.
Media Inquiries for this event may be directed to:
Nicole Barreca, Communications and Events Coordinator, The World Food Prize | +1.515.245.3735
nbarreca@worldfoodprize.org
Michael R. Turner, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs | +1 (202) 647-1682 | turnermr@state.gov
Office of Press Relations, U.S. Department of State +1 (202) 647-2492.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Press Contact:
+1.515.245.3735 (direct), +1.563.271.2995 (cell), or nbarreca@worldfoodprize.org
CROP Hunger Walk Organizer to Receive 2015 Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award
(Des Moines, IA) September 24, 2015 – The World Food Prize announced this morning that the 2015 Robert D. Ray
Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award will be presented to the Rev. Russell “Russ” Melby, a long-time Iowa organizer of
Church World Service CROP Hunger Walks during the Iowa Hunger Summit on Oct. 13.
From 1984 until his retirement in 2014, Rev. Melby involved almost 500,000 Iowans, who together raised over 12 million
dollars to alleviate hunger. A quarter of all funds raised in Iowa are returned to local food pantries, and the remainder
reduces global hunger by providing emergency aid during famines and supporting families around the world to transition
from dependence to self-sufficiency. CROP Hunger Walks are community celebrations that bring people from many
different perspectives and faith traditions together to fight hunger in over 80 communities across Iowa.
“Rev. Melby and CROP Hunger Walks are tremendous proof of the belief, shared by Dr. Borlaug and Governor Ray, that
the struggle to end hunger should bring together people of all perspectives and walks of life,” said Amb. Kenneth M.
Quinn, President of The World Food Prize. “By working together and building on our great humanitarian heritage, Iowa
can eradicate hunger from our state and rise to the greatest challenge in human history – feeding the estimated 9.7 billion
people who will share our planet by 2050,” the Ambassador added.
The Iowa SHARES Award has special meaning for Russ, who, in 1985, was invited by the Des Moines Register to
represent the Protestant faith community at discussions of a possible fundraiser to alleviate famine in Ethiopia. “I was
asked if Church World Service wanted to be involved,” Russ recalls, “and though I was a rookie at the time, I said ‘Yes,
we’d love to be’. Then I called our headquarters – we had never done something like this before - and said ‘I hope this is
okay!’” This initiative grew into the Iowa CARES program, which, inspired by the Iowa SHARES program, raised over
$800,000 in under a year to feed starving refugees in Ethiopia.
An ordained Lutheran minister, Rev. Melby was introduced to the challenges of hunger in 1980 when his bishop
encouraged him to attend a Bread for the World meeting of faith leaders in Lincoln, Nebraska. Learning about the realities
of families struggling for survival was a “conversion experience”. Previously a concerned bystander, hunger ministry
became his lifelong vocation. Russ was inspired to persevere by his “belief that food is the right of everyone, and not
merely a privilege, by the personal example of Dr. Norman Borlaug and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the writings of
St. Paul, Isaiah, Amos and Micah.” His advice to fellow hunger-fighters: “Learn the meaning of accompaniment, advocate
for the rights of hungry people through cultivating relationships with members of Congress, and practice an urgent
persistence.”
The third annual Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award will be presented to Rev. Melby on Tuesday, October
13, at the Iowa Hunger Summit, a free, grassroots event organized by The World Food Prize to unite all Iowans working to
alleviate hunger at home and abroad. More information, an agenda and registration is available at
www.iowahungersummit.org.
BACKGROUND: The World Food Prize Foundation established the Robert D. Ray Iowa Shares Humanitarian Award in
2013 in recognition of the exceptional leadership that former Governor Ray demonstrated in dealing with multiple
situations affecting refugees in Indochina, and to honor him on his 85th birthday (September 26). In doing so, the award
was named after the Iowa SHARES campaign, which the Governor created in 1979 in order to send desperately needed

food and medicine to suffering and dying refugees from Cambodia. Iowa SHARES stands for Iowa Sends Help to Aid
Refugees and End Starvation.
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE: The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing the
achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of
food in the world. The Prize was founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize.
Since then, the World Food Prize has honored 41 outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions throughout
the world. The World Food Prize annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium and a variety of youth
education programs to help further the discussion on cutting-edge global food security issues and inspire the next
generation to end hunger. Press credentials for covering the October World Food Prize Week of events can be requested
at www.worldfoodprize.org/press.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
515.245.3735 (direct), +1.563.271.2995 (cell), or nbarreca@worldfoodprize.org
Malawi’s First Female President to Speak at World Food Prize
Des Moines, Iowa (October 12, 2015) - The World Food Prize announced Monday that Her Excellency, Mrs.
Joyce Banda, Former President of the Republic of Malawi, will speak at the 2015 Borlaug Dialogue.
President Banda, Malawi’s first female President and Africa’s Second Female Head of State, served as
President of the Republic of Malawi from 2012 to 2014.
President Banda, a champion for social justice and equality, is recognized globally for her leadership and
commitment to empowering women and youth through entrepreneurship and education.
In 1997, she established the Joyce Banda Foundation, which delivers integrated rural development services to
over 300,000 resource poor beneficiaries. The Foundation’s array of programs provide support for early
childhood development, education, maternal health and safe motherhood, food and nutrition security,
agricultural development, water and sanitation and women’s leadership.
Her Excellency also serves as an advisor to the Community for Zero Hunger, a multi-sectoral global initiative in
response to the UN Zero Hunger Challenge. She recognizes that hunger and malnutrition are among the
greatest injustices of our time, and require deliberate action involving all sectors.
"We cannot speak of progress until we have addressed the grave tragedy of hunger and malnutrition," said
Banda. "No mother should ever have to experience the desperation of putting a hungry child to bed. No father
should ever have to wonder where the next meal for his family will come from. No child should ever have to die
of hunger. One death from hunger is one death too many."
President Banda will speak at 10:00 a.m. CT, Thursday morning October 15 at the Borlaug Dialogue, in a
panel discussion moderated by 2009 World Food Prize laureate Gebisa Ejeta, entitled “Voices from the Farm.”
"I am humbled by the opportunity to attend the Borl ‘aug Dialogue," said Banda. "Being in Des Moines, with so
many inspiring global leaders, who have dedicated their lives to empowering women, supporting youth, and
ensuring that every person has food, nutrition, health and income, gives me great hope that a better future for
all will be achieved."
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE: The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing
the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or
availability of food in the world. The Prize was founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970
Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, the World Food Prize has honored 41 outstanding individuals who have made
vital contributions throughout the world. The World Food Prize annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue
international symposium and a variety of youth education programs to help further the discussion on cutting-
edge global food security issues and inspire the next generation to end hunger. Press credentials for covering
the October World Food Prize Week of events can be requested at www.worldfoodprize.org/press.
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Press Contact:
2015 Borlaug Dialogue: The Fundamentals of Global Food Security:
Special focus on Empowering Women and Girls in STEM Education
Des Moines, Iowa (October 13, 2015) – To celebrate the 101st anniversary of the birth of its founder, Dr.
Norman E. Borlaug, and in view of the unprecedented challenge to sustainably and nutritiously feed the 9
billion people who will inhabit the planet by the year 2050, The World Food Prize will gather an outstanding
"faculty" of international leaders, experts and scientists for Borlaug 101, a 3-day "course" on The
Fundamentals of Global Food Security October 14-16 in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
The full agenda and speaker list can be found at www.worldfoodprize.org/borlaugdialogue. All sessions will
also be webcast live from www.worldfoodprize.org.
Referred to as the "premier conference in the world on global agriculture", the 2015 Borlaug Dialogue will
feature expertise and diverse perspectives of governmental leaders; policymakers; African farmers; CEOs and
executives from agribusiness and non-governmental organizations; and scientific, academic and development
experts from around the world.
Among the various “fundamentals of global food security” discussed at this year’s Borlaug Dialogue, there will
be a special emphasis on the importance of empowering women and girls through STEM (science, technology,
engineering and math) education to achieving global food security. Speakers who will address this topic
include: Chelsea Clinton, Vice Chair, Clinton Foundation; Sheryl WuDunn, Pulitzer Prize Winner, co-author:
A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity; Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, immediate past
chair of the national STEM Food and AG Council; Catherine Bertini, 2003 World Food Prize Laureate; Robert
T. Fraley, 2013 World Food Prize Laureate; and Senior executives from Google and Starbucks.
In addition, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the 2015 World Food Prize Laureate will speak about his role as Founder
and Chairman of BRAC, the world’s largest NGO, hailed as the most effective anti-poverty organization in the
world. Empowering and educating women and girls has been central to BRAC’s success in confronting hunger,
malnutrition and lifting millions out of poverty in Bangladesh and 10 other countries.
This year’s Borlaug Dialogue will be held at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Des Moines.
Other featured speakers and panels this year will include:
• The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture
• Restoring African Soils, featuring Howard G. Buffett, Sir Gordon Conway, Kofi Boa from Ghana and
Alejandro López Moriena of Argentina
• A Special Update on the Ebola Crisis, One Year Later, featuring Her Excellency Florence
Chenoweth, Former Minister of Agriculture, Liberia and 2004 World Food Prize Laureate Monty
Jones
• Agribusiness Leaders and Global Development Presentations, featuring David W. MacLennan, CEO,
Cargill; Chris Policinski & Land O’Lakes Scholars; Mehmood Khan, Vice Chairman of PepsiCo;
and Jim Borel, Senior Vice President, DuPont
• Confronting malnutrition through biofortified nutritious crops such as Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato;
• The impact of aquaculture and marine fisheries on food production, nutrition and the environment;

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• The role of precision agriculture, data and information technologies in production, conservation and
resilience
Taking place today, The Iowa Hunger Summit is a free event gathering several hundred leaders from across
Iowa representing community organizations, business and industry, state and local government, social
agencies, churches and religious communities, schools and universities, and other groups that lead or
participate in projects to confront hunger. The day will include Morning Presentations on Health & Global
Change, The State of Hunger in Iowa, Innovations & Collaborations to End Hunger, and the launch of the Vote
to End Hunger initiative; a Hunger Luncheon featuring meals from the Iowa humanitarian group Outreach, Inc.;
the presentation of the “Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Award”, to Reverend Russell “Russ” Melby, which
annually recognizes an Iowan who has provided significant leadership confronting hunger at home and abroad;
Afternoon workshops providing in-depth conversation on topics of interest and practical tools for taking the fight
against hunger to the next level; Meal packaging shifts throughout the day; and a full room of exhibits featuring
Iowan organizations and initiatives working to end hunger. The event is open to the public, but guests must
register to attend. See the full agenda at www.worldfoodprize.org/hsagenda.
Additional events surrounding the 2015 Borlaug Dialogue will include:
• Reception for the Borlaug Field Award for Research and Application, Endowed by the
Rockefeller Foundation (Oct. 14, 5:30 pm): This event honors a scientist under the age of 40 who
emulates Dr. Borlaug. This event is open to the media.
• Laureate Award Ceremony (October 15): While the Laureate Award Ceremony is by invitation
only, The World Food Prize Foundation makes every effort to include international guests and senior-
level national guests. Invitations will be issued in late summer and the registration process for this event
is completely separate from the 2015 Borlaug Dialogue.
• Iowa Farm Tours (Oct. 16, afternoon): Organized by the Iowa Soybean Association, this event will
provide an opportunity for international and national guests to travel to a working Iowa farm during
harvest.
• Global Youth Institute (October 17 at DuPont Pioneer): This year, almost 400 exceptional high
school students and teachers from 30 states and territories across the United States and 6 other
countries have been selected to participate in the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute. At this
inspiring event, the next generation presents and discusses their solutions to global food security
challenges with a "faculty panel" of international experts and their peers, connects with other students
from around the world, tours cutting-edge industrial and research facilities, and takes part in
discussions with global leaders in science, industry and policy.
ABOUT THE IOWA HUNGER SUMMIT: The Iowa Hunger Summit is a grassroots event, free and open to
the public, which gathers Iowa citizens fighting hunger for a day of workshops, keynote speakers and a
Hunger Luncheon, where guests sample meals used by organizations in hunger-fighting efforts at home and
abroad. For more information, please visit www.iowahungersummit.org.
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MEDIA RELEASE
Press Contact:
Nicole Barreca, Communications and Events Coordinator
515.245.3735 (direct), 563.271.2995 (cell), or nbarreca@worldfoodprize.org
Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn can be contacted in Italy through his U.S. mobile phone (+1.515.240.8971) or by email at
kquinn@worldfoodprize.org.
World Food Prize Expands Agricultural Connection with Iran
Rome, Italy ( May 20, 2015 ) - The 2013 World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Marc Van Montagu will deliver the keynote address at the 9
th
National Biotechnology Congress of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which will be held in Tehran, May 24-26, 2015, World Food Prize
Foundation president Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn announced today in a speech he delivered in Rome.
Dr. Van Montagu, one of the world’s foremost pioneers of modern agricultural biotechnology, was chosen to represent the World
Food Prize at this important conference by Ambassador Quinn, at the invitation of Dr. Behzad Ghareyazie, Director General of the
Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII). Dr. Van Montagu is founder and chairman of the Institute for Plant
Biotechnology for Developing Countries at Ghent University in Belgium.
Ambassador Quinn stated that: "The World Food Prize is taking another important step to build upon the special connection that
was established in August 2014 when I delivered the keynote address at a special ceremony organized by ABRII in Karaj, Iran to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and World Food Prize founder Dr. Norman. E.
Borlaug."
In that address, Ambassador Quinn observed that the commitment to biotechnology in the United States and Iran offered a unique
opportunity for bilateral scientific cooperation in addressing the global scourge of wheat rust disease, a problem that Dr. Borlaug
had struggled against throughout his career. Referring to a visit by then Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to an Iowa farm, the
Ambassador further noted the significant role that agricultural exchanges played in building trust and understanding between the
United States and the Soviet Union in 1959, a time of significant nuclear tension.
As a follow-on action to his trip to Iran, Ambassador Quinn invited Dr. Goodarz Najafian, Director General of the Iran Seed
Improvement Institute, to participate in a special panel discussion on wheat rust at the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue
Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa in October, 2014. Dr. Najafian also had an opportunity to meet with researchers at Iowa State
University and to tour an Iowa farm to see how biotechnology was being utilized in American agriculture.
Dr. Van Montagu's participation at the forthcoming Congress in Iran representing the World Food Prize is thus "a third concrete step
toward increased understanding and scientific exchanges with Iran in dealing with critical issues in global food security, which
hopefully will also contribute to enhanced understanding in other areas and thus promote peace," Ambassador Quinn concluded.
Dr. Van Montagu shared the 2013 World Food Prize with Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton and Dr. Robert Fraley of the United States. More
information about their work is available at www.worldfoodprize.org/laureates.
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE
The World Food Prize was created in 1986 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug, and is the foremost international award
recognizing individuals whose achievements have advanced human development by increasing the quality, quantity or availability of
food in the world. The World Food Prize annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, which draws over 1,200
people from 60 countries to discuss cutting-edge issues in food security, and several youth education programs to inspire the next
generation to explore careers in agriculture and fighting hunger. More at www.worldfoodprize.org.
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MEDIA RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT:
Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn can be contacted in Italy through his U.S. mobile phone (+1.515.240.8971) or by email at
kquinn@worldfoodprize.org.
The World Food Prize and the Legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug to be Featured at EXPO2015 Events in Italy
Rome, Italy (May 18, 2015) - The World Food Prize will be prominently featured at three significant events addressing critical issues
in global food security taking place in Italy, including at EXPO2015.
At the invitation of Italian Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Maurizio Martina, World Food Prize President Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn
will be a featured speaker at the International Agricultural Forum that will be held at EXPO2015 in Milan, Italy June 4 and 5. This
event is designed to bring together minsters of agriculture, global experts and other senior business and civic leaders to address and
comment on the Charter of Milan which deals with global food and agricultural issues.
Prior to EXPO2015 Conference, on May 20 Ambassador Quinn will deliver the keynote address at EXPO 2015 Communications
Summit in Rome organized by the International Food Information Council. This event, which will be held at the United States Mission
to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, has as its theme, “Emerging Market Leaders Workshop on Effective Messaging on Global
Food Production Issues.” Ambassador Quinn’s address is titled “The Road to Development is Paved with Technology.” The entire
event will be webcasted at: www.foodinsight.org/globalsummit2015 on May 20, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Italy time (UTC/GMT +2
hours).
While in Rome, Ambassador Quinn will hold meetings with H.E. Jose Graziano de Silva, the Director General of the UN-FAO, the
Honorable Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director of the World Food Programme and H.E. Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the
International Fund for Agricultural Development. All three heads of the UN Agencies have previously been featured speakers at the
World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue international symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
Following a trip to Israel, between May 25 and June 2, and his participation in the International Agricultural Forum at EXPO2015 in
Milan, Italy, Ambassador Quinn will be a featured speaker at the 9th World Chambers of Congress Annual Convention in Torino, Italy
on June 10 – 12, which will be attended by more than 1,500 delegates from 120 countries. He will be part of a Plenary Session on
June 12 titled, “A Sustainable World - Food, Water, Energy and Natural Resources.”
Ambassador Quinn said, “I am undertaking these speaking engagements in order to bring the legacy of World Food Prize founder,
Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, before a diverse assemblage of international participants from around the globe. In doing so, I will reiterate
the theme of the 2014 World Food Prize symposium which identified the goal of feeding the more than 9 billion people who will be
on our planet by the year 2050 as the single greatest challenge that humans have ever faced. Dr. Borlaug created the $250,000
World Food Prize to inspire those breakthrough achievements that will be needed to meet this objective and alleviate poverty and
hunger around the globe.”
ABOUT AMB. KENNETH M. QUINN
Dr. Kenneth M. Quinn, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, assumed the leadership of The World Food Prize
Foundation on January 1, 2000, following his retirement from the State Department after a 32 year career in the Foreign Service. For
his full bio, please visit www.worldfoodprize.org/kq
The World Food Prize was founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, The World
Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity or availability
of food throughout the world. Laureates have been recognized from Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, India,
Israel, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States. The World Food Prize
Foundation is based in Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States.

MEDIA RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT:
Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn can be contacted in Israel, where he is now traveling, through his U.S. mobile phone
(+1.515.240.8971) or by email at kquinn@worldfoodprize.org.
World Food Prize President Ambassador Quinn Meets Pope Francis: Encourages Iowa Visit
Rome, Italy (May 27, 2015) - His Holiness Pope Francis graciously received World Food Prize president, Ambassador Kenneth Quinn
on May 21, while the Ambassador was in Rome to meet with heads of the United Nations Food Agencies and deliver the keynote
address at a conference organized by the International Food Information Council.
In their conversation, which also included his wife Le Son Quinn and His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Ambassador said that
he explained his role as public security coordinator for the 1979 visit to Des Moines of Pope John Paul II, and described the power of
that Pope's call for food production to feed the millions and millions who are hungry.
Noting the role of its founder, Dr. Norman Borlaug, in fighting hunger, the Ambassador next recalled for Pope Francis the invitation
recently extended to him by the World Food Prize for His Holiness to come to Iowa and issue a similar Papal message that would be
heard around the globe about the great challenge the world faces in feeding the more than nine billion people who will be on our
planet by mid-century.
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad sent a letter formally supporting the World Food Prize invitation and formally welcoming Pope Francis
to Iowa. Both the Governor's letter and the World Food Prize invitation were conveyed to the Vatican by Des Moines Catholic Bishop
Richard Pates.
Ambassador Quinn commented that when hearing him say, "Iowa," Pope Francis broke into a big smile and commented "Iowa, it is
so far away!" The Ambassador said he hopes that when the Holy Father visits the United States in September, he will realize that
Iowa is just a short flight from the East Coast, and will accept our invitation.
Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana is Head of the Vatican Peace and Justice Council and delivered a keynote address at the World Food
Prize in 2013.
During his week in Rome, Ambassador Quinn also met with: Dr. Jose Graziano da Silva, Director General of the UN-Food and
Agriculture Organization; Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director of the World Food Programme; and Dr. Kanayo Nwanze,
President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development. In addition, he visited the US Pavilion at the EXPO Milano 2015 in
Milan, and attended the briefing by the Economist Intelligence Unit about its 2015 The Global Food Security Index organized by
DuPont and featuring an address by DuPont Senior Vice President Jim Borel.
For more information please visit: www.worldfoodprize.org.
ABOUT AMB. KENNETH M. QUINN
Dr. Kenneth M. Quinn, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, assumed the leadership of The World Food Prize
Foundation on January 1, 2000, following his retirement from the State Department after a 32 year career in the Foreign Service. For
his full bio, please visit www.worldfoodprize.org/kq
The World Food Prize was founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, The
World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity or
availability of food throughout the world. Laureates have been recognized from Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark,

Ethiopia, India, Israel, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States. The World
Food Prize Foundation is based in Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States.
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Press Contact:
2015 World Food Prize Presented to Non-Profit Leader Sir Fazle Hasan Abed of Bangladesh
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, a renowned founder and chairperson of BRAC, has developed the world’s largest non-
governmental organization, providing an unprecedented opportunity over four decades for nearly 150 million people
worldwide to improve their lives, benefit from enhanced food security and follow a pathway out of poverty.
Des Moines, IA (Oct. 16, 2015) – Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, a distinguished non-profit founder and chairperson who has
dedicated his life’s work to fighting poverty, was awarded the World Food Prize on Oct. 15, among an international
audience at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. Today, he will give his Laureate Address at 12:00 p.m. CDT, which will
be webcast live from the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, at www.worldfoodprize.org/live.
Sir Fazle’s leadership has led BRAC to be hailed as the most effective anti-poverty organization in the world. Empowering
and educating women and girls has been central to BRAC’s success in confronting hunger and malnutrition and lifting
millions out of poverty in Bangladesh and 10 other countries. The global reach of BRAC is unprecedented, with more
than 110,000 employees around the world, and a further 150,000 BRAC-trained entrepreneurs providing low-cost goods
and services (such as seeds, medicine and training) to their rural neighbors.
“It is difficult to express in words how honored and deeply touched I am by this recognition.” Sir Fazle said upon
receiving the award. “The real heroes in our story are the poor themselves and, in particular, women struggling with
poverty who overcome enormous challenges each day of their lives. Through our work across the world we have learnt
that countries and cultures vary, but the realities, struggles, aspirations and dreams of poor and marginalized people are
remarkably similar.”
BRAC’s multi-dimensional and dynamic methods of reducing hunger and poverty include the creation and support of a
range of integrated enterprises, such as: seed production and dissemination; feed mills, poultry and fish hatcheries; milk
collection centers and milk processing factories; tea plantations; and packaging factories. The income generated from
these social enterprises is used to subsidize primary schools and essential health care. In this way, BRAC has been a
leader in empowering women and girls through microfinance, education, healthcare, and encouraging their active
participation in directing village life and community cohesion.
“At a time when the world confronts the great challenge of feeding over nine billion people, Sir Fazle Abed and BRAC,
the organization he founded and leads, have created the preeminent model being followed around the globe on how to
educate girls, empower women and lift whole generations out of poverty. For this monumental achievement, Sir Fazle
truly deserves recognition as the 2015 World Food Prize Laureate,” commented World Food Prize President,
Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn.
Sir Fazle’s unparalleled achievement in building the unique, integrated development organization, BRAC began after the
combination of a deadly tropical cyclone and war of independence in his home country. Sir Fazle set out to address the
terrible devastation suffered by the people and formed the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC’s
original name). Following initial relief efforts, the organization soon became involved in more long-term community
development, and thus, was renamed the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee.

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Today BRAC operates 18 financially and socially profitable enterprises, across health, agriculture, livestock, fisheries,
education, green energy, printing and retail sectors, and has been responsible for extraordinary advancements in the
poultry, seed, and dairy industries in Bangladesh and other countries in which it operates in Africa. BRAC has recently
increased its commitment to girls’ education in low-income countries with a five-year pledge to reach 2.7 million
additional girls through primary and pre-primary schools, teacher training, adolescent empowerment programs,
scholarships and other programs.
The World Food Prize award ceremony and Laureate address forms part of the annual Borlaug Dialogue, a premier food
security conference held in downtown Des Moines that is taking place this week.
Three high level panels will take place today, following the theme of Borlaug 101: a "course" on The Fundamentals of
Global Food Security. These will include: The Case for Conservation Agriculture, involving Howard G. Buffett, Chairman
& CEO, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and Sir Gordon Conway, Professor of International Development, Imperial
College London, on restoring soils with a focus on their foundational role in achieving global food security; The Orange
Revolution: A Novel Approach to Traditional Challenges, with Pamela Anderson, Director of Agricultural Development
for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on confronting malnutrition through biofortified nutritious crops such as
Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato; and Borlaug 2.0, involving Louise O. Fresco, President & Chairman Executive Board,
Wageningen UR, Monty Jones, 2004 World Food Prize Laureate, M.S. Swaminathan, 1987 World Food Prize Laureate,
and W. Ronnie Coffman, International Professor of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture & Life Science, Cornell. The
Iowa Soybean Association will also be hosting farm tours for international visitors and all others interested in seeing a
working Iowa farm.
Official events will culminate with the World Food Prize’s 21st
Anniversary Global Youth Institute taking place tomorrow,
Saturday, October 17.
It was Dr. Borlaug’s dream to ensure a promising future for the world by inspiring the next generation of agricultural
researchers and leaders. He and John Ruan Sr. established the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute 21 years ago, and
today it is renowned and being held up by national STEM leaders as a model program to be replicated in all states. High
school students select a country and food security topic, research it, and write an original paper presenting their own
solutions, which they then present to global experts for feedback. Around 200 students from 30 U.S. states and
territories and several foreign countries, and their teachers, are experiencing the opportunity to interact with visiting
leaders and experts, participate in the symposium, package meals, tour agricultural facilities, and partake in an Oxfam
Hunger Banquet over these three days. They will conclude with presentations of their papers tomorrow at Pioneer.
MORE INFORMATION
Webcast of the ceremony can be found at www.worldfoodprize.org/live. Photos are online at this link.
A full biography, photos and more information about the 2015 Laureate are available
at www.worldfoodprize.org/2015Laureate.
Members of the media may reach Sir Fazle via Scott MacMillan at scott@bracusa.org.
Since then, the World Food Prize has honored 41 outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions throughout
the world. The World Food Prize annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium and a variety of youth
education programs to help further the discussion on cutting-edge global food security issues and inspire the next
generation to end hunger. Press credentials for covering the World Food Prize Week of events can be requested
at www.worldfoodprize.org/press.
# # # #

Press Contact:
The World Food Prize Foundation Recognizes Young Social Enterprise Pioneer for Innovations in
Sustainable Agriculture in Rwanda as Winner of its 2015 Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research
and Application, Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation
This is the fourth annual presentation of this award, which recognizes scientists and researchers under the age
of 40 who emulate the innovation and dedication to food security demonstrated by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
and World Food Prize Founder Dr. Norman E. Borlaug while working in the field with farmers and producers.
(Lusaka, Zambia) October 1, 2015 – Eric Pohlman was announced today as the winner of the 2015 Norman Borlaug
Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation, for his work in developing highly
innovative programs that are transforming subsistence agriculture in rural Rwanda. Pohlman’s collaborative work with
farmers has made it possible for smallholders in Rwanda and other developing African countries to escape hunger and
poverty and improve their livelihoods.
Pohlman will be formally presented with the $10,000 “Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application,
Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation” on October 14, 2015, in a ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, as part of the
2015 World Food Prize international symposium.
A native of the United States, Pohlman, 33, currently serves as Rwanda Country Director and Senior Partner at the social
enterprise One Acre Fund. In developing his vision to help poor farmers better afford modern agricultural technology,
Pohlman was inspired by the great agricultural scientist and World Food Prize Founder Norman Borlaug’s desire to
expand the Green Revolution. Pohlman recognized a major barrier preventing its spread to Africa was the lack of access
to credit for subsistence farmers. To that end, Pohlman was instrumental in framing the implementation of an innovative
farm finance model, which currently serves 100,000 farm families in southwest Rwanda.
The announcement was made by C.D. Glin, Associate Director for the Rockefeller Foundation, Africa Regional Office at
the Africa Green Revolution Forum in Lusaka, Zambia.
“This work aligns with the Foundation’s current exploration for an integrated approach to reducing post-harvest loss
reduction, where we have learned that increasing farmers’ access to technologies and finance helps to increase yields
and hence their income, leading to greater food security and a more sustained livelihood. Eric Pohlman and his team are
making a tremendous difference in helping to improve the lives of the Africa’s small holder farmer, who is essentially the
backbone of the sector,” said Glin.
The social enterprise Pohlman co-founded, One Acre Fund, provides asset-based financing and agriculture training
services to smallholder farmers in East Africa to reduce hunger and poverty. Pohlman’s bold choice not to focus on high-
value export crops was the impetus for the incredible growth of the organization. Rather, he chose to go against the grain
and shift attention to increasing the production of staple foods for subsistence farmers, which has proved extremely
successful as demonstrated by the organization’s expansion to over 3,000 field-based staff supporting over 280,000 farm
families since 2006.
"Like Dr. Borlaug, Eric Pohlman has been at the forefront of applying scientific rigor to his methods in farmers' fields in
Rwanda through One Acre Fund’s concept of “behavioral technology”," said Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, President of
the World Food Prize. "Through One Acre Fund, which he co-founded, Eric serves smallholder farmers by truly listening to
their needs and the agricultural conditions under which they work, and then based on their input, developing science-
based education, innovation, and training, and taking it directly to farmers and local community leaders. This is having
great success in broadly disseminating the Green Revolution in Africa, thus fulfilling one of Dr. Borlaug’s most ardent
dreams," Quinn concluded.

His passion for working with farmers to provide them with the full range of tools they need to improve subsistence farming
is summed up by Pohlman: “Farmers are at the center of our health, our economy, and our environment. As community
members it is easy to spin around discussing the big problems of hunger, poverty, and climate change. I believe this is
why Dr. Borlaug struck such a chord in the world. He ripped through the husk and got right to the kernel. “Take it to the
farmer” he said. It’s that simple. We need to do everything we can to deliver the best science and the best services to
farmers because they have the most important job in our communities - growing our food.”
A graduate of Georgetown University in the United States and a former Peace Corps volunteer, Pohlman’s professional
endeavors have focused exclusively on Africa, where his contributions to One Acre’s unique credit system have made
technology more affordable for smallholders. The organization has an average 98% on-time repayment rate for its loans.
“Dr. Borlaug confided in a family member late in life that his biggest regret was that the Green Revolution did not reach
farmers in Africa, that the breakthrough seeds got stuck somewhere in the Indian Ocean or somewhere between the
laboratory and the farmer’s field. I think Dr. Borlaug would be energized by our progress at One Acre Fund but would push
us to do more. One Acre Fund is part of an incredible effort by leaders, scientists, and field staff across the continent to
deliver on the promise of the Green Revolution. Together let us commit to erasing Dr. Borlaug’s regret and keep farmers
first,” said Eric Pohlman.
###
For more information/For interviews with Eric Pohlman, contact David Hong (david.hong@oneacrefund.org)
ABOUT THE AWARD: This award, which was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, was established by the World Food
Prize in 2011 during the 25
th
Anniversary World Food Prize Award Ceremony. At that time, Dr. Judith Rodin, President of
the Rockefeller Foundation, announced a $1 million contribution to the World Food Prize to endow the new award in
honor of Dr. Borlaug, who did his groundbreaking research on improving wheat crops while working for the Rockefeller
Foundation in Mexico. Dr. Borlaug went on to found the World Food Prize in 1986. A downloadable photo of Mr. Pohlman
can be found at www.worldfoodprize.org/BorlaugHonoree.
ABOUT THE NORMAN BORLAUG AWARD FOR FIELD RESEARCH AND APPLICATION, ENDOWED BY THE ROCKEFELLER
FOUNDATION: An independent jury of experts chaired by Dr. Ronnie Coffman of Cornell University, who was Dr. Borlaug’s original
graduate student, selected Mr. Pohlman from an impressive group of more than 40 candidates. They were evaluated based on the
attributes and accomplishments that reflect those demonstrated by Dr. Norman Borlaug during his work at the Rockefeller Foundation
in developing high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat in Mexico and introducing adaptable wheat varieties into India and Pakistan during
the 1950’s and 60’s, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. Previous recipients of this award have been recognized for
their work in India, Kenya and Mexico. More details at www.worldfoodprize.org/borlaugfieldaward/.
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE: The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing the achievements of
individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. The Prize was
founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, the World Food Prize has honored 41
outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions throughout the world. The World Food Prize annually hosts the Borlaug
Dialogue international symposium and a variety of youth education programs to help further the discussion on cutting-edge global food
security issues and inspire the next generation to end hunger. Press credentials for covering the October World Food Prize Week of
events can be requested at www.worldfoodprize.org/press.
ABOUT THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION:
For more than 100 years, The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission has been to promote the well-being of humanity throughout the world.
Today, The Rockefeller Foundation pursues this mission through dual goals: advancing inclusive economies that expand opportunities
for more broadly shared prosperity, and building resilience by helping people, communities and institutions prepare for, withstand, and
emerge stronger from acute shocks and chronic stresses. To achieve these goals, The Rockefeller Foundation works at the intersection
of four focus areas – advance health, revalue ecosystems, secure livelihoods, and transform cities – to address the root causes of
emerging challenges and create systemic change. Together with partners and grantees, The Rockefeller Foundation strives to catalyze
and scale transformative innovations, create unlikely partnerships that span sectors, and take risks others cannot – or will not. For more
information, please visit www.rockefellerfoundation.org.

Press Contact:
World Food Prize Banners To Grace Iowa Capitol
The World Food Prize banners will soon be placed at the Iowa State Capitol to mark the coming annual award ceremony.
(Des Moines, Iowa) October 9, 2015 – The visual kickoff of the 2015 World Food Prize events will commence Friday,
October 9 with the hanging of the World Food Prize banners above the west entrance of the Iowa State Capitol. The
event, which will take place between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m., signals the approaching week of events gathering leaders and
experts from around the world, highlighted by the Laureate Award Ceremony, which will be held in the House Chamber of
the State Capitol.
The 2015 World Food Prize will be presented to Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, of Bangladesh, for his work as the founder and
chairperson of the world’s largest non-governmental organization BRAC, or the Bangladesh Rural Advancement
Committee. The presentation of the award will be broadcast live from the State Capitol on Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m.
on Iowa Public Television.
A complete schedule of World Food Prize week events can be found here.
Since then, the World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions throughout the
world. Thirty-nine laureates have been recognized from Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, Ghana,
India, Israel, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States. The
World Food Prize annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium and a variety of youth education
programs to help further the discussion on cutting-edge hunger and food security issues and inspire the next generation to
end hunger.
# # #

PRESS BRIEFING:
Press Contact:
World Food Prize President, Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn
to announce recipient of Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award.
(Des Moines, IA) September 22, 2015 – In recognition of Governor Robert D. Ray’s global humanitarian
leadership, this Thursday, in honor of his 87th
birthday the World Food Prize Foundation will announce and
introduce the recipient of the annual Robert Dr. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award.
WHEN: Thursday, September 24 – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, 100 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa, in the Iowa
Gallery, Second Floor. (The Iowa Gallery features artwork by Iowa artists, all depicting Iowa’s greatest
humanitarian and agricultural moments in history. One beautiful painting by Rose Frantzen commemorates
Gov. Ray’s work with refugees. The Iowa Gallery is also the location which houses the “White Dove of Peace”
mural referenced in Daniel Finney’s story in the September 22 Des Moines Register about Pope Francis. This
may offer an opportunity for a second visual.)
WHAT: Press Briefing with Amb. Quinn and Award recipient
BACKGROUND: The World Food Prize Foundation established the Robert D. Ray Iowa Shares Humanitarian
Award in 2013 in recognition of the exceptional leadership that former Governor Ray demonstrated in dealing
with multiple situations affecting refugees in Indochina, and to honor him on his 85th birthday (September 26).
In doing so, the award was named after the Iowa SHARES campaign, which the Governor created in 1979 in
order to send desperately needed food and medicine to suffering and dying refugees from Cambodia. Iowa
SHARES stands for Iowa Sends Help to Aid Refugees and End Starvation.
The award is given annually to honor an Iowan who has provided significant leadership in confronting hunger
and alleviating human suffering, both at home and abroad. The award will be formally presented to the
recipient at the Iowa Hunger Summit Luncheon on October 13 in Des Moines.
DETAILS: Please arrive between 11:00 and 11:15 a.m. and use the East Riverwalk Entrance. On site, please
contact Nicole Barreca with any questions, at 563-271-2995.
###

Press Contact:
World Food Prize Receives Mention in Popular CBS Drama
CBS television drama Madam Secretary made mention of the World Food Prize in its latest episode.
(Des Moines, Iowa) November 19, 2015 – While the World Food Prize has been internationally renowned for decades in
the fields of agriculture and nutrition, its recognition has grown to reach a wider audience in popular culture as seen in the
latest episode of Madam Secretary on CBS. The popular television drama made mention of the World Food Prize when
the show’s star, Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord (played by Téa Leoni), informed her speechwriter, Matthew (Matt)
Mahoney (played by Geoffrey Arend), that he would be composing her speech for the World Food Prize luncheon.
The reference was made in the episode “You Say You Want a Revolution,” which aired this past Sunday, November 15.
The show is in its second season and airs on CBS on Sunday nights at 7pm central time. The World Food Prize episode
can be viewed online at this link: http://www.cbs.com/shows/madam-secretary/video/.
Since then, the World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions throughout the
world. Thirty-nine laureates have been recognized from Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, Ghana,
India, Israel, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States. The
World Food Prize annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium and a variety of youth education
programs to help further the discussion on cutting-edge hunger and food security issues and inspire the next generation to
end hunger.
# # #

PRESS ADVISORY:
Press Contact: Nicole Barreca, Director of Communications and Events, 515.245.3735 (direct), 563.271.2995 (cell),
or nbarreca@worldfoodprize.org
NINTH ANNUAL IOWA HUNGER SUMMIT TO INSPIRE ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
More than 600 Iowans from local organizations to gather for workshops, keynotes and networking to unite in
efforts to fight hunger at home and abroad.
Des Moines, Iowa (October 13, 2015) – The ninth annual Iowa Hunger Summit, organized by the World Food Prize,
convenes in downtown Des Moines today to bring public attention to hunger both at home and abroad, and to encourage
actions and partnerships among Iowans to solve issues related to hunger, poverty and malnutrition. The event will take place
from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Marriott Downtown, 700 Grand Ave., Des Moines. Full agenda and online registration is at
www.worldfoodprize.org/hsagenda.
The day includes:
• Morning presentations on Health & Global Change, The State of Hunger in Iowa, Innovations & Collaborations to End
Hunger, and the launch of the Vote to End Hunger initiative
• A Hunger Luncheon featuring meals from the Iowa humanitarian group Outreach, Inc.
• The presentation of the “Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Award”, to Reverend Russell “Russ” Melby, which annually
recognizes an Iowan who has provided significant leadership confronting hunger at home and abroad
• Afternoon workshops providing in-depth conversation on topics of interest and practical tools for taking the fight
against hunger to the next level
• Meal packaging shifts throughout the day
• A full room of exhibits featuring Iowan organizations and initiatives working to end hunger
The afternoon will feature workshops by local organizations. See the full agenda at www.worldfoodprize.org/hsagenda.
About: The Iowa Hunger Summit is a grassroots event, free and open to the public, which gathers Iowa citizens fighting
hunger for a day of workshops, keynote speakers and a Hunger Luncheon, where guests sample meals used by organizations
in hunger-fighting efforts at home and abroad. For more information, please visit www.iowahungersummit.org.
###

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Media Contact: Nicole Barreca, Director of Communications & Events
nbarreca@worldfoodprize.org, 563-271-2995 (cell)
Highlights for Press: October 11-17, 2015
THEME: Borlaug 101: Fundamentals of Global Food Security
To celebrate the 101st anniversary of the birth of our founder, Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, and in view of the unprecedented
challenge we face to sustainably and nutritiously feed the 9 billion people who will inhabit our planet by the year 2050, our
2015 conference will gather an outstanding "faculty" of international leaders, experts and scientists for Borlaug 101 a 3-
day "course" on The Fundamentals of Global Food Security.
Referred to as the "premier conference in the world on global agriculture", the Borlaug Dialogue will feature expertise and
diverse perspectives of governmental leaders; policymakers; farmers; CEOs and executives from agribusiness and non-
governmental organizations; and scientific, academic and development experts from around the world.
Press – Please register for the 2015 Borlaug Dialogue and Laureate Award Ceremony at www.worldfoodprize.org/press.
Full agenda and speaker list at www.worldfoodprize.org/borlaugdialogue
2015 Borlaug Dialogue Social Media Kit at www.worldfoodprize.org/2015socialmedia
Sunday, Oct. 11:
• Kickoff: The Des Moines Area Hunger Hike:
1:30 p.m. at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
The Hall of Laureates will also be having an Open House from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 100 Locust
Street. www.worldfoodprize.org/visit
Monday, Oct. 12:
• Lecture: The 2015 World Food Prize Laureate
8 p.m., Sun Room, Iowa State Memorial Union, Ames
NGO Founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, will give the Norman Borlaug Lecture at Iowa State University. This
annual laureate lecture is usually attended by over 500 people. Free and open to the public.
www.worldfoodprize.org/2015laureate
Tuesday, Oct. 13:
• Public Event: The Iowa Hunger Summit
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Des Moines Marriott Downtown, 700 Grand Ave., 2nd Floor
The Iowa Hunger Summit will again gather over 600 Iowans working to battle hunger for a day of workshops,
networking and more. Free and open to the public. The day will include exceptional speakers, such as Rev.
David Beckmann, President, Bread for the World, and Bishop Richard Pates, as well as:
• The Iowa Hunger Fight meal packaging event, located at the Des Moines Diocese.
• The Iowa Hunger Luncheon, which only serves food used by Iowa organizations to help feed hungry people,
will feature keynote speaker Ray C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America. During the Hunger

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Luncheon, Governor Branstad will issue a proclamation at noon, Rev. Russell “Russ” Melby will be honored
with the Iowa SHARES humanitarian award at 12:15 p.m., and the keynote will take place at 12:40 p.m.
www.iowahungersummit.org
• Launch of the Vote to End Hunger Campaign by Bread for the World
12:30 p.m., Press Room – Windows- Marriott
• Public Event: Waste Not, Want Not: How Food Recovery Can End Hunger in the 21st
Century
6:30 p.m. at Drake University, Sussman Theater, Lower Olmsted. 2875 University Avenue, Des Moines
Presentation and Q&A with Ben Simon, founder of national food recovery network and CEO / co-founder of
Imperfect Foods, SPC. Hosted by: Drake Environmental Action League (DEAL), Drake Agricultural and
Environmental Law Association, and Next Course - Food Recovery Network at Drake.
Wednesday, Oct. 14: Borlaug Dialogue Day I
• Empowering Women and Girls Through STEM Education:
1:15 p.m., Marriott, 2nd Floor.
After her keynote address, Chelsea Clinton, Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, will join with the 2003 and
2013 World Food Prize Laureates and the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Iowa, among others to speak
on inspiring young women and girls to pursue education and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering
and mathematics).
• Special session - Ebola, One Year Later:
2:45 p.m., Marriott, 2nd Floor.
In follow up to our 2014 focus on the devastating Ebola crisis and its impact on agriculture, Her Excellency
Florence Chenoweth, Minister of Agriculture of Liberia, and Monty Jones, 2004 World Food Prize Laureate
and Special Advisor to the President, Sierra Leone, will join us to report on the current food security situation
and agricultural outlook in Ebola-impacted countries.
• #WorldFoodDay Twitter Town Hall:
Beginning at 10:30 a.m.
The World Food Prize and Bread for the World will host a Twitter Town Hall at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct.
14, to discuss "Good News on the Path to #ZeroHunger." Tune in and contribute to the conversation.
• Borlaug Field Award:
6 p.m., World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
The fourth annual Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by the Rockefeller
Foundation, will recognize a young researcher under 40, this year Mr. Eric Pohlman of the United States,
who currently works on sustainable agriculture at One Acre Fund in Rwanda. Ceremony at 6 p.m. World
Food Prize Hall of Laureates, 100 Locust Street. www.worldfoodprize.org/BorlaugHonoree
Related: Press Conference with Eric Pohlman Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at the Marriott, 1
st
Floor Press Room.
Thursday, Oct. 15: Borlaug Dialogue Day II
• Major Keynotes: Morning keynotes will be given by the Chairman and CEO of Cargill;
the Executive Vice President of DuPont; and the President and CEO of Land O’Lakes.
Beginning at 9:30 a.m., Marriott, 2
nd
Floor
Also that morning, a model smallholder farmer from Nigeria will participate in a special panel conversation, Voices
from the Farm, with other participants.
• Luncheon Keynote: Sheryl WuDunn:
12:00 p.m., Marriott, 3
rd
Floor
Pultizer Prize Winner, Co-Author - A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity, will give the
keynote address at lunch

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• Afternoon highlight:
rd
Floor
Secretary’s Roundtable: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Alexander B. Howard, Senior Editor
for Technology and Society, Huffington Post, on Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition.
• 2015 Laureate Award Ceremony:
7:00 p.m., Iowa State Capitol
Related press conference at 10 a.m. with Sir Fazle in the Marriott, 1
st
Floor Press Room.
Press will need register ahead of the ceremony at www.worldfoodprize.org/press or in the Press Room in
Windows at the Downtown Marriott Hotel. If you are interested in coming to the Award Ceremony please contact
Nicole Barreca at nbarreca@worldfoodprize.org.
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed will be honored with the World Food Prize at the Iowa State Capitol. As the founder and
chairperson of BRAC, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed of Bangladesh has, over more than four decades, built an integrated
development organization providing the opportunity for nearly 150 million people worldwide, especially women, to
improve their lives, have enhanced food security and follow a pathway out of poverty. Broadcast live on IPTV and
the web. www.worldfoodprize.org/
Friday, Oct.17: Borlaug Dialogue Day III
• Breakfast Briefing: Mehmood Khan, PepsiCo Vice Chairman
7:30 a.m., 3
rd
Floor
PepsiCo’s Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of Global Research and Development, who oversees the
PepsiCo global Performance with Purpose sustainability initiatives, designed to enhance environmental, human
and talent sustainability for the company, will offer wisdom to inspire the next generation of world leaders during
breakfast.
• Special Panel: The Case for Conservation Agriculture
9:00 a.m., Marriott, 2
nd
Floor
A Special Panel, involving Howard G. Buffett, Chairman & CEO, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and Sir
Gordon Conway, Professor of International Development, Imperial College London, on restoring soils with a
focus on their foundational role in achieving global food security
• Expert Panel: The Orange Revolution: A Novel Approach to Traditional Challenges
10:00 a.m., Marriott, 2
nd
Floor.
Panel includes Pamela Anderson Director of Agricultural Development for the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, on confronting malnutrition through biofortified nutritious crops such as Orange Fleshed Sweet
Potato
• Laureate Luncheon
rd
Floor
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the 2015 World Food Prize Laureate, will give his symposium address during lunch to
close out the 2015 Borlaug Dialogue.
• Farm Tours
The Iowa Soybean Association will host farm tours for international visitors and all others interested in seeing a
working Iowa farm.
Saturday, Oct. 18:
• 21st
Anniversary Global Youth Institute
It was Dr. Borlaug’s dream to ensure a promising future for the world by inspiring the next generation of
agricultural researchers and leaders. He and John Ruan Sr. established the World Food Prize Global Youth
Institute 21 years ago, and today it is renowned and being held up by national STEM leaders as a model program

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to be replicated in all states. High school students select a country and food security topic, research it, and write
an original paper presenting their own solutions, which they then present to global experts for feedback. Around
200 students from 30 U.S. states and territories and several foreign countries, and their teachers, will participate
in events Thursday through Saturday. They interact with visiting leaders and experts, participate in the
symposium, package meals, tour agricultural facilities, experience an Oxfam Hunger Banquet, and on Saturday,
present their papers at Pioneer.
More at www.worldfoodprize.org/youth.
• Party: Ending Hunger With a Little Yelp From My Friends
To round out World Food Prize week, Yelp will be throwing a big party at the Hall of Laureates from 6-9 p.m. Will
include free food, drinks, & entertainment. Event is open to all, but attendees must register in advance through
Yelp.
All Week:
• Madhouse Brewery brewed a special "Iowa Borlauger" beer for the Borlaug Centennial last year that will
again be gifted to VIPs and also available for purchase in the Marriott Hotel. Starting on Thursday, Oct. 15, which
is Norman Borlaug Day in Iowa, it will be on tap at Madhouse as well. What kind of beer? Wheat, of course.
(Borlaug spent his life's work on improving wheat varieties that could thrive globally and feed more people.)
• Numerous side events by world-renowned institutions will occur all week visit www.worldfoodprize.org/agenda
for full details.

MEDIA RELEASE
Press Contact:
On Cinco de Mayo - Five Ways the World Food Prize is Inspiring the Next Generation
(Des Moines, Iowa) May 5, 2015 – As we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, it seems most fitting to recall that the pioneering early
work of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug took place in remote areas of rural Mexico. Working alongside Mexican smallholder
farmers, his research led to the Green Revolution and the greatest period of food production and hunger reduction in
human history.
Among Dr. Borlaug's most passionate goals was to inspire the next generation of youth to pursue careers fighting hunger
through agriculture. The World Food Prize implements a number of education programs to realize his dream. On this
special day, it is most fitting to highlight five young people who represent these World Food Prize education programs.
Kody Olson: Following in Norm’s footsteps through a Borlaug-Ruan high school internship at CIMMYT
“These opportunities really pushed me in the right direction. I am passionate about global food security and how different
cultures can work together on some of the most critical challenges of our time and I probably wouldn't be studying it
without my experiences at the World Food Prize.” – Kody Olson
Kody Olson, of Keswick, IA was selected as an exemplary high school student to spend eight weeks as a Borlaug-Ruan
International Intern at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in El Batan, Mexico. From June
to August, 2014, he worked side by side in the field and in the lab with leading scientists, collecting and interpreting data
studying the effects of conservation tillage on maize and wheat field plots.
His research was a part of The Global Conservation Agricultural Program, directed by Dr. Bram Govaerts, who received
the 2014 Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application for his work developing cutting-edge, sustainable
programs that are transforming subsistence agriculture and unsustainable farming systems in Mexico and other regions of
the world into productive and sustainable production operations.
Kody’s journey began when he was selected as a Borlaug Scholar for the World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute at Iowa
State University, earned a scholarship to the College of Ag and Life Sciences and a chance to be a delegate to the Global
Youth Institute during the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium. He is now a freshman at Iowa
State University double majoring in Global Resource Systems and Agriculture and Society, and minoring in Technical
Sustainability where he serves on the Iowa State Freshman Council and Presidents Leadership Circle.
The prestigious Borlaug-Ruan international internship provides high school students an all-expenses-paid, eight-week
hands-on experience, working with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers around the
globe.
In 2014, Dakota Olson was one of 23 students from across the U.S. to take part in this unique program, which inspires
high school age students to pursue education and careers in STEM, agricultural sciences and confronting hunger. Since
its inception in 1998, 250 high school students from across the United States have taken part. Two thirds of participants in
the Borlaug-Ruan Internship program are young women.

This summer, another 23 students will embark on life-changing Borlaug-Ruan internships in Africa, Asia, Latin America
and the Middle East.
Mahmud Johnson: 40 Chances Fellows award moves communities from poverty to peace
"I remain eternally grateful to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the World Food Prize Foundation, and the Africa
Governance Initiative for creating such a tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs such as myself to work closely with
local communities to design sustainable approaches to reduce poverty and promote peace." - Mahmud Johnson
Last October, Mahmud Johnson was among four young social entrepreneurs to receive a prestigious 40 Chances
Fellows award at the 2014 World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue. The award enabled Mahmud to double the size of his
business, Kernels for Peace, creating a new market for palm kernel oil in Liberia.
In the six months since Mahmud received his 40 Chances award, Kernels for Peace has grown to purchase palm kernels
from 50 smallholder farmers in seven communities, raising their incomes by an average of 79%. Kernels for Peace has
also created 76 new jobs collecting and processing palm kernels and marketing the products to local soap manufactures,
pig and poultry farmers.
The 40 Chances Fellows program, a partnership between the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Prime Minister Tony Blair's
Africa Governance Initiative and the World Food Prize Foundation, supports four young entrepreneurs under the age of 40
to launch innovative social enterprise projects addressing hunger and poverty in Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda and Sierra
Leone.
Selected from a pool of 267 applicants by blue-ribbon panels comprised of leaders in government, academia and
agricultural development, the four 40 Chances Fellows each received $150,000 to further their enterprises.
Maria Belding: Alum of World Food Prize / USDA Wallace-Carver Fellows program receives national honors for
confronting hunger through social enterprise
"My business partner Grant Nelson is also an Iowan, a Dowling '08 grad and older brother to Joseph Nelson, my fellow
2013 World Food Prize Wallace-Carver Fellow. Kody Olson, a 2014 World Food Prize Borlaug-Ruan Intern, is on our
staff. We're chock-full of World Food Prize connections!" - Maria Belding
While just in her first year of college at American University, World Food Prize alum Maria Belding has received multiple
national awards, including the prestigious 2015 Clinton Hunger Leadership Award and the top prize for nonprofit social
venture at the 2015 George Washington University Business Plan Competition.
Maria credits the World Food Prize education programs for providing her with inspiration, mentorship and introductions
to to a diverse group of talented young people who share her enthusiasm and partnered with her to create the award-
winning MEANS Database, an online system enabling food pantries to communicate with each other and their donors to
prevent waste.
A collaboration between the World Food Prize Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture, the
prestigious USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship offers exceptional high school and college students the opportunity to
collaborate with world-renowned scientists and policymakers through paid internships at leading USDA research centers
and offices across the United States.
Since its inception in 2011, eighty students have taken their education and careers to the next level as World Food Prize /
USDA Wallace-Carver Fellows.
Melissa Garcia-Rodriguez: World Food Prize Youth Institutes in 12 states empower students to make a difference

“My mom and dad have worked very hard to support me and I want to do my best to earn scholarships to help pay for
college. The World Food Prize inspired me to take on leadership roles and tell people about how they can make a
difference.” – Melissa Garcia-Rodriguez
As a young urban student, Melissa Garcia-Rodriguez of Des Moines, Iowa admits that she did not know a lot about
agriculture prior to taking one of the first Urban Agricultural Education classes to be offered at Central Campus High
School.
She took the class because of her love of animals and wanted to learn more about the industry. There, she met educator
Jacob Hunter, now the World Food Prize Iowa Education Programs Director, who saw a promising future for Melissa and
encouraged her to write a research paper and participate in the World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute at Iowa State
University. At the institute, she quickly learned that the global reach of agriculture. “Before the Iowa Youth Institute, I didn't
realize how big agriculture was or that there were jobs in the industry for me,” said Melissa.
Since participating in the youth institute Melissa wants to focus on animal science and agricultural education in college to
empower others to follow in her footsteps. The scholarship she earned from Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences will help her pay for college. As a first generation American, she is working hard for a bright future. Melissa
currently serves as President of the Des Moines FFA and served as the first Latina elected to an office above the chapter
level in the Iowa FFA Association.
World Food Prize State Youth Institutes are public-private partnerships with Land Grant Universities and prominent
agribusiness and educational organizations in 12 states. Over 500 high school students participate in State Youth
Institutes each year.
These programs are rapidly growing across the country and are recognized as a national model for students to fight
hunger, explore global food security challenges and various academic and career opportunities in Agricultural and STEM
fields.
Sweta Sudhir: Pursuing her passion through the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute
“Through my experience with the World Food Prize I became deeply vested in improving the situation farmers are
currently facing across the globe. I believe I can make a significant contribution and look forward to my experience as a
Borlaug-Ruan International Intern in Turkey.” –Sweta Sudhir
Sweta Sudhir, a junior at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, IA, loves science, has completed many advanced
placement courses and gained valuable lab experience and college credit at the University of Iowa, where she assisted in
research at the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department. She is globally-minded, committed to improving lives and feels
responsible to help lead efforts among her generation to reduce global hunger and poverty.
Sweta was inspired to follow in the legacy of Dr. Borlaug through her participation in the World Food Prize Global Youth
Institute. Interacting with like-minded peers and renowned experts from around the world sharpened her commitment to
fighting hunger through agriculture.
This summer, Sweta will further build on her experiences through a Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, studying Wheat
Pathology with top researcher at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Ankara, Turkey.
The Global Youth Institute is an annual three-day event, bringing almost 200 exceptional high school students from across
the United States and around the world to Des Moines in conjunction with the Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium.
At the Global Youth Institute, student delegates present and discuss their findings with international experts and their
peers, connect with other students from around the world, tour cutting-edge industrial and research facilities, and take part
in symposium discussions with global leaders in science, industry and policy.

The World Food Prize was created in 1987 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug, and is the foremost
international award recognizing individuals whose achievements have advanced human development by increasing the
quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. The World Food Prize annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue
international symposium, which draws over 1,200 people from 60 countries to discuss cutting-edge issues in food
security, and several youth education programs to inspire the next generation to explore careers in agriculture and fighting
hunger. More at www.worldfoodprize.org.
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE YOUTH PROGRAMS
The World Food Prize holds statewide youth institutes in several states to inspire young people to continue the legacy of
Dr. Norman Borlaug and fight hunger by pursuing educational and career paths in global agriculture; the goal is to
eventually have every school in our home state of Iowa participate. The top students each year and others from around
the country are invited to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October, where they participate in other
World Food Prize events such as the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, which annually draws 1,200 people from
65 countries, and the Laureate Award Ceremony. There, youth interact with experts, participate in hunger relief programs
and activities, and present their research findings to peers and global leaders. Over 20 students from the programs each
year are then selected as Borlaug-Ruan International Interns, and are sent on all-expenses-paid, eight-week internships
at research centers in Asia, Africa, Latin American and the Middle East. Finally, students who participate in the World
Food Prize youth programs are also eligible to apply for Wallace-Carver internships with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
# # # #

PRESS ADVISORY
Press Contact: Nicole Barreca, Director of Communications and Events
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates "Decks the Hall" for Holiday Open Houses
Free events on Saturday, Dec. 12 & 19, will include live Christmas music, Santa Claus, fruit punch and cookies
(Dec. 9, 2015) Des Moines, Iowa -- The entire central Iowa community is invited to visit the World Food
Prize Hall of Laureates on Saturday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to experience our
free Holiday Open Houses. Visitors will be treated to the majestic sound of the Grace Church Ensemble
singing traditional and popular Christmas music in this downtown architectural gem. They will also be
able to view the beautiful holiday decor, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy fruit punch and holiday
cookies and explore the World Food Prize's collection of artwork and exhibits.
Guests can visit the "40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World" international photography exhibit by
Howard G. Buffett, and visitors of all ages will enjoy the interactive exhibits on food and agriculture on
the garden level.
There is no admission charge and it is a wonderful opportunity to experience this beautiful, historic
downtown building during this special time of year. 100 Locust Street, Des Moines. Please
visit www.worldfoodprize.org/hall for directions and more details.
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE HALL OF LAUREATES
The World Food Prize was conceived by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize.
Since 1986, The World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital
contributions to improving the quality, quantity or availability of food throughout the world. The World
Food Prize also annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium to bring the world's
foremost experts together to discuss cutting-edge issues in food security, and multiple youth education
programs to inspire the next generation to study and work in fields related to global agriculture.
The Hall of Laureates, formerly the Des Moines Public Library, reopened in 2011 as the World Food
Prize’s global headquarters. As a special tribute to Nobel Peace Prize winner and World Food Prize
founder Dr. Norman Borlaug, and to provide an enduring foundation for all of the programs he created,
the World Food Prize Foundation took on a $29.8 million capital project to restore the century-old Des
Moines Public Library Building as the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
# # # #

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