Soybean Farmers Contribute to World Food Prize
As part of a biotechnology initiative soybean checkoff farmer-leaders commit $500,000.
Frank Holdmeyer
Published: Oct 15, 2009
The United Soybean Board is contributing a half-million dollars to the World Food Prize Norman Borlaug Hall of Laureates in Des Moines, Iowa. "Soybean checkoff leaders share the same views of Norman Borlaug," said Richard Fordyce, a Missouri soybean farmer and team lead on USB's Biotechnology Initiative. "Borlaug recognized the value of biotechnology and checkoff dollars are being spent around the world to gain global acceptance of biotechnology."
"The soybean checkoff believes soy can continue to play a major role in ending world hunger, the ultimate goal of the World Food Prize," said Richard Fordyce.
The announcement was made Thursday at a press briefing in conjunction with World Food Prize events.
The $500,000 contribution will help create an interactive kiosk in the education wing of the Hall of Laureates. "It will be an educational exhibit demonstrating the contributions of biotechnology in helping to feed a hungry world," noted Fordyce.
Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize, said "From the bottom of our heart, we want to say thank you to the 600,000 soybeans farmers who participate in the check off. When this was proposed to us, I could think of nothing better than to have something that Norman Borlaug believed in. In this way, Norman Borlaug's influence will carry well into the 22nd century."
Named for the late Norman E. Bourlag, the Hall of Laureates will be housed in the former Des Moines Library. Remodeling and refurbishing of the 100-year-old structure will begin later this fall and is expected to be completed in early 2011.
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