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Harvest an Acre, Feed the World: Farmers Challenged to End Hunger

The Iowa Soybean Association board of directors has issued a challenge to soybean farmers to join the fight against malnutrition and hunger, in the United States and across the globe. The ISA board is renewing its initiative titled, "Acres of Giving: Harvest an Acre, Feed the World," in conjunction with the Iowa Hunger Summit and the World Food Prize's Borlaug Discussion which is taking place Oct. 14-17 in Des Moines.

Farmer leaders who serve on the ISA board are each individually donating the equivalent of an acre of soybeans. They challenge soybean farmers to contribute the equivalent of 10,000 acres of soybeans in the coming year. With soybeans valued at approximately $400 per acre, the goal is to raise $4 million, with proceeds going to the World Soy Foundation and the Soy for Life Foundation.

"We, as Iowa's soybean producers, take our role of feeding and fueling the world very seriously," says John Heisdorffer, ISA president and a soybean grower from Keota in southeast Iowa. "We hope fellow Iowans will step up to this challenge and help us in our goal to alleviate hunger and malnutrition with soy protein."

WFP conference theme is "Confronting Crisis"

During the "Confronting Crisis" conference, the 2008 World Food Prize will be awarded to former United States Senators George McGovern and Robert Dole for their leadership that has encouraged global commitment to school feeding and enhanced school attendance and nutrition for millions of the world's poorest children. Through the "Acre of Giving" program, Iowans have been instrumental in confronting the hunger crisis; money raised through the "Acre" program has been used to develop a school food program for Ghana.

Soy is a versatile source of complete protein offering numerous health benefits. Impressive data suggests early soy intake is protective against breast cancer. Studies show soy also reduces risk of prostate cancer as well as several chronic diseases.

You can donate to "Acre of Giving"

The Soy for Life Foundation funds research to further the many health benefits of soy. The foundation also funds programs to reach malnourished, under-served and hungry populations in the United States, as well as developing programs to further educate consumers, food industry professionals and the media on soy protein usage.

The World Soy Foundation, founded by U.S. soybean farmers, works with humanitarian organizations, corporations, public and private foundations, international organizations, U.S. and international governments and individuals to deliver soy protein and nutrition education to people in developing nations.

To donate to "Acre of Giving," visit http://www.iasoybeans.com/ and click on the "Acres of Giving" icon. For more information about the Soy for Life Foundation, visit http://www.thesoyfoodscouncil.com/. To learn more about the World Soy Foundation, visit http://www.worldsoyfoundation.org/.