STARKVILLE, Mississippi — Mississippi State University hosted the eighth-annual World Food Prize Mississippi Youth Institute on Friday, bringing high school students from across the state to research and propose solutions for food security, water quality and public health challenges.
Acting College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Darrell Sparks, who leads the institute, said the program gives students “a constructive space for them to network with their peers as well as experts from industry and academia.” He added, “These are our future leaders, so it is important that they learn to problem solve and effectively communicate their ideas with others.”
The event featured the Charles E. Lindley Lecture by Ryn Laster, director of food safety and animal welfare at Cal-Maine Foods Inc. and a four-time MSU graduate. Her presentation stressed the roles of science, policy and leadership in strengthening food systems. Afterward, students helped prepare meal packs for distribution to state food pantries.
Participants were recognized as Borlaug Scholars, and select students may be invited to the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in Iowa this October. Students are also eligible to apply for CALS scholarships, the Borlaug Ruan International Internship and the USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship.
The World Food Prize Global Youth Institute was created by Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug to encourage youth engagement on global hunger. The Mississippi Youth Institute is hosted by MSU with support from CALS alumni Barry L. and Lana B. White and the Madison Charitable Foundation. For more information, visit the World Food Prize and MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences websites.
