The World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute at Iowa State University:
An Opportunity for Iowa 4-H Students to Explore Global Agriculture
This April, Iowa high school students have a unique opportunity to participate in the first ever World Food
Prize Iowa Youth Institute, where they will explore global issues in agriculture and be inspired to pursue
educational and career paths in these areas.
On July 17, 2011, Governor Branstad announced in his office, with bipartisan leadership of the Iowa State
Legislature present, the creation of a new program to promote the study of STEM by allowing every high
school in Iowa to select its own “Borlaug Scholar” to attend this all-day Iowa Youth Institute, to be held at
Iowa State University on April 30, 2012.
The World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute at Iowa State University
To participate, students write an essay in which they have researched a key global issue concerning food
security and agriculture. Essay guidelines and instructions, which contain a resource list and guided
questions to aid students in developing their essay, are available at www.worldfoodprize.org/iowayouth.
The essay is an interdisciplinary exercise which can be incorporated into science, agriculture, social
science, language arts and gifted and talented curricula.
At the event on April 30, each student presents their essay in a discussion group led by experts in
research, industry and policy. Students spend the day interacting with these experts and ISU students
pursuing majors in STEM and related fields, and also participate in interactive activities in ISU College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences departments, exposing them to research currently being done in Iowa to
address global issues.
Internship and international opportunities available through participation:
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All students who participate in the World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute will be eligible for
exclusive scholarships to attend the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at ISU.
At the Iowa Youth Institute, students' essays and presentations will be evaluated by the
experts leading their discussion groups. The top 80 students will be selected as delegates to
represent Iowa at the 3-day, all-expenses-paid Global Youth Institute held in conjunction with
the World Food Prize events in Des Moines, October 18-20, 2012, where they and their
teacher mentors have the opportunity interact with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates, as
well as the world's foremost thinkers and leaders in agriculture and food security.
Students who attend the Global Youth Institute are eligible to apply for the prestigious BorlaugRuan International Internship, an all-expenses-paid, eight-week hands-on experience working
with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers in Africa, Asia,
Latin America and the Middle East.
Students who attend the Global Youth Institute will also be eligible to apply for a USDA
Wallace-Carver Internship once they enroll in college. The Wallace-Carver program provides a
unique opportunity for students to conduct original research or policy analysis and
development through paid, three-month internships with any USDA research center or field
office in the United States, including USDA headquarters in Washington D.C.
How can 4-H students participate in the World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute?
4-H high school students should immediately contact Catherine Swoboda, Director of Iowa Education
Programs at the World Food Prize, at cswoboda@worldfoodprize.org or 515-245-3727, to reserve a spot
and ensure they can represent their high school. At this inaugural event on April 30, 2012, we have spots
for 200 high schools to participate. A student’s registration and essay must be submitted by April 1.