(Submitted by Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller) – On Monday, April 27th, Atlantic FFA members Malena Woodward and Bryan York participated in the 9th annual Iowa Youth Institute (IYI) hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation.  Woodward and York were part of the 264 students and 110 teachers from 93 Iowa high schools. This virtual, day-long event was the first of its kind for the IYI supported by over 90 experts from across Iowa.

Bryan York

Malena Woodward

Each year, the World Food Prize Youth Institutes convene high school students, teachers and experts to explore and solve local, national and global hunger and food security issues. In order to be a part of the Iowa Youth Institute, students research and write a paper on a global challenge related to hunger and food insecurity. Currently, 25 states, the Netherlands and Honduras host Youth Institutes, where students can be selected to serve as delegates at the Global Youth Institute as part of October’s Borlaug International Dialogue.

Woodward’s paper was on the devastating natural disasters that Puerto Rico has endured in the past few years.  Woodward said, “I had fun researching and learning more information about Puerto Rico. After their two natural disasters in the last two years I feel it is important to educate the local population to become self-sufficient in growing and producing their own food.”

York’s paper focused on the ongoing conflict in Somalia and how this affects the food insecurity problem. “ I addressed the problem of the Government, the Piracy problem, and the ongoing conflict with Ethiopia over the Ogaden Plateau.  If we can fix these problems, Somalia can focus on getting food and medicine back to their people.”  York stated, “It seems many of these problems are stemming from the root of a bad government. The government of some countries have disconnected themselves from their people and have instead focused on what is best for them.”

The day began with remarks from Madeline Goebel Director, Community Outreach for the Iowa Youth Institute and Wendy Wintersteen, President of Iowa State University.  The keynote address was provided by Matt Carstens, CEO of Landus Cooperative.  Once the opening session was complete Woodward and York began Roundtable Discussions.  Students presented their research in a roundtable fashion to ISU faculty and industry professionals by using Zoom Meetings. Students were also supportive of their peers and asked questions to provide a diverse array of perspectives to the discussion. During the afternoon session students and teachers participated in virtual Immersion Discussions with World Food Prize Partners.

At the end of the day, Woodward and York were declared Bourlag Scholars and awarded a $500 scholarship to Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  Both Woodward and York are going to be Juniors next year and have the opportunity to participate again. When talking about her experiences Woodward said, “I really enjoyed the presentation.  I thought it was interesting hearing the ideas of other students and experts trying to solve world hunger as well as hearing their input and giving me more ideas about my topic.”

This one-day event is offered at no cost to teachers or students. More details are available at www.worldfoodprize.org/iowayouth.