Simonsen presents at world global food prize
Victoria Simonsen, daughter of Gerald and Julie Simonsen, of Ruskin, recently presented her research paper in Des Moines, Iowa at the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute. The international event is part of the annual World Food Prize (WFP) initiated by the late Nobel Peace Prize recipient Mr. Norman Borlaug. She was accompanied by local Ag Education instructor Dave Barnard. Mr. Barnard served as her mentor on the project.
Vicki Simonsen was one of six Nebraska students selected to attend the three day conference. Her paper was on Brazilian agriculture and entitled, “The Impact of Deforestation on the Brazilian Subsistence Farming”. She presented an overview of her paper at the corporate Pioneer Hybrid's headquarters in Des Moines on Saturday. Sixty-five international countries were represented at the World Food Prize Symposium. Ms. Simonsen met foreign exchange students that were studying in the United States from Tanzania, Nigeria, and Afghanistan.
On Thursday, Vicki and student representatives from 16 states and six countries attended a student orientation followed by keynote speaker Ms. Indra Nooyl, CEO of world Pepsico, Nooyi is from India. In the afternoon a ministerial roundtable on the world food crisis was held, which included speakers from Egypt, Canada, Mexico, and USDA Secretary Mr. Tom Vilsack. The WFP Laureate ceremonies were conducted Thursday evening at the Iowa State Capitol building. Dr. Gebisa Ejeta of Ethiopia was awarded the WFP 2009 Laureate for his work with grain sorghum. Ejeta is a professor at Purdue University. A dinner followed with the 2009 Intern Award winners addressing the students.
On Friday morning the WFP winners packaged food to be shipped overseas and visited global information booths. Friday afternoon the group was hosted by Des Moines University. Students went to three short secessions that they chose from a list of five. The secessions included one on nutrition, global health, research, anatomy, and a simulation lab.
More information on the World Food Prize can be obtained by going to www.mathileinstitute.org.
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