Leaders in agribusiness and biofuels from around the globe will be in Iowa this week for events surrounding the presentation of the World Food Prize. The Des Moines based prize is awarded annually to individuals that have helped reduce world hunger.
Philip Nelson of Purdue University will receive the quarter million dollar prize this week, for his scientific breakthroughs in the area of storage and shipping of foods. Ambassador Kenneth Quinn is President of the World Food Prize.
Quinn says Nelson’s aseptic food processing system allows for safe, large-scale storage and transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products. In addition to Thursday night’s award presentation at the state capital, the events this week in Des Moines include a two-day conference with global experts discussing biofuels, climate change, and international food and water security.
Quinn says the speakers include top executives with Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta, and Land O’ Lakes, the co-chair of the Ethanol Coalition in Brazil, and the President of the Chinese Agricultural University.
There will also be a USDA panel on "Women in Science and Global Agriculture" and a panel on "Biofuels in Africa." Iowans who wish to attend the World Food Prize events are offered a special discounted rate of $165. Registration materials are available on-line at www.worldfoodprize.org/iowa .