World Food Prize Comes to Hawkeye

Today we were honored to have David Lambert from Washington D.C. on campus to share his lecture "A Closer Look at Global Food Security: Why Science Matters" as part of the World Food Prize Lecture Series. David is is an internationally recognized advocate for global food security. A former senior vice president of the New York Stock Exchange, he was President Clinton’s appointee as Foreign Agricultural Service counselor in Rome from 1999-2003. He serves as a distinguished fellow for Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center. As principal for Lambert Associates, he provides strategic policy advice on global food security, child nutrition, food safety, and agricultural biotechnology.

David shared issues impacting and facing global food security. He covered everything from climate change to nutrition to biotechnology. He went on to challenge those in attendance to encourage a culture change to cut down on food waste as 40% of food never reaches a human stomach for various reasons. Watch in future weeks for a video of David's lecture. We will share this video on our blog when it is available.

Click to View David's PowerPoint

Above David is pictured with administration, faculty, and staff from the Global Agriculture Learning Center and Hawkeye Community College.This lecture series offered by the World Food Prize is part of the World Food Prize being held in Des Moines this week. On Wednesday students and faculty will travel to Des Moines for the Borlaug Dialogue and World Food Prize. Watch for nightly recaps and updates from the events in Des Moines to expand conversations around the globe!

France's Plan for Carbon and Soil

We take a look at an ambitious plan by the French to increase the amount of carbon going into the soil. This has many benefits as noted in the linked article below. Read through the article below and use the discussion points to guide conversations around the globe.

How France Plans to Bury Carbon Emissions

Discussion Points

• What role does soil play with carbon emissions?
• Explain France's plans in regards to carbon and soil? What are their goals?
• Why is it a challenge to raise soil carbon content?
• What are the benefits of carbon rich soils in regards to soil health, plant growth, and the environment?
•  Do you think this is a realistic plan/goal? How would individuals in your home country react to a plan like this?

Women's Role in Agricluture

Women have always been a vital part of agriculture, but have not always received the respect they deserve. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is trying to bring light to the importance of women in agriculture production roles around the United States. They have created info-graphics for the United States as well as each state within it. In fact in the United States women make up 31% of the farming population. When you look at developing countries this percentage is much higher with 60-80% of farmers being women.

I encourage you to checkout the link below to explore the impact women have on production agriculture in the United States and follow the link within it to discover women's impact in various states and regions within the United States.

Women in Agriculture

Discussions Points

• What are your thoughts after exploring these websites? Were you surprised by the numbers in the United States or specific states? Explain your thoughts.
• How do different regions of the United States compare to one another regarding percentage of women who are agriculture producers? Why do you think this is the case?
• Reflect on your home region and how it relates to the overall average in the United States. (For those in the U.S. compare your home state and for those outside of the U.S. compare your home country/state.)
• Look at women in agriculture on a global level. Have each person in your group/class/discussion research another country besides the United States or your home country. What percentage of farmers are women? How does this compare to the U.S.? What are the factors behind the higher, equal, or lower percentages?

Teach Ag!

This week I came across many potential topics to hit on relating to global agriculture, but I kept returning to the theme of the week around campus which was centered around an event today...National Teach Ag Day in the United States. On our campus today we hosted many to explore career options in agricultural education. We are facing a serious shortage of agricultural educators in the United States. National Teach Ag Day is all about promoting and bringing awareness to the great profession of agricultural education. Here is a link to a video that was created to get you thinking about what agricultural education is all about!

I have noticed as I travel to other countries agricultural education is something that you often do not see in education until the collegiate level. This always gets we thinking...Where would the United States be without agricultural education? Or the better question yet...Where would the world be if everyone had agricultural education around the world? So here's my challenge to you...What does agricultural education look like around the globe and how does this impact certain countries and/or regions?

Global Agricultural Education Challenge

• Research different countries agricultural education systems. This can be done individually or by pairing up with others.
• Is there formal agricultural education?
• How is agricultural knowledge delivered (book, email, field days, text message, etc.)?
• Who delivers agriculture knowledge (teachers, universities, researchers, extension, government, etc.)?
• After you have researched specific countries/regions evaluate their agricultural education systems.
• Are there things you would change? Why?
• How does their agricultural education programs impact the country or region as it relates to economics, health and nutrition, stability, etc.?
• Assume that you were just elected to a government office for a newly created country. You have been asked to shape and create the agricultural education system for this country. What would your recommendations be? Be sure to justify your responses.
• Once your research and analysis is complete share your findings with others and let the conversations begin!

Food Insecurity or Hunger

This week we take a look at food insecurity and how it relates to hunger. A lot of times food insecurity can be misunderstood and this article makes you take a deeper look at things. Read through the linked article and use the discussion points below to lead your conversations.

Are we confusing hunger with food insecurity?

Discussion Points

• Explain and discuss what food insecurity is versus hunger.
• Explain the concept of "hidden hunger."
• In what ways do families deal with food shortages?
• Do you have/see food insecurity in your local community? Explain your response.

Global Food Prices Drop

We have all heard the reports of a bunker crop coming and low commodity prices. Yet another sign of this is a large decline in global food prices. Linked below is an article that hits on this decline in food prices and examines many reasons. Read the linked article and use the discussion points to guide conversations around the globe in various settings!

Global Food Prices Drop Most in 7 Years

Discussion Points

• What causes were noted as reasons for declining food and commodity prices around the globe? See how many you can identify. 
• Explain how this article stresses the global network we are all a part of in agriculture.
• How long has it been since we have seen declines like this?
• What are your predictions in relation to food and commodity prices over the next year? Over the next five years? Be sure to support your responses.
• How do crops look in your home area? How will this effect global food prices?
• Are low food prices a good or bad thing? Look at this from many different perspectives.

The China/United States Food Connection

Food safety has been a concern in the United States for years and these same issues are rising to the top in China as well. The article linked below takes a look at a group that got together recently to examine and discuss the relationship and possibilities shared between China and the United States as it relates to agriculture trade and food safety. After looking over the attached article use the discussion questions below to start conversation with others.

The Surprising Synergies of China and American Agriculture

Discussion Points

• What was one of the main things that helped shape food safety regulations in the United States?
• What/who is helping to shape China food safety policies today?
• Explain the arable land and population relationship in China and the United States and how this can or does effect the supply chain.
• Discuss the current supply chain in place between China and the United States as it relates to agricultural goods.
• What do you see as the possibilities of food safety and relations between these two countries? If you are from a country other than China or the United States what does your food supply chain look like with China and/or the United States?