Three groundbreaking voices in the agriculture industry will help raise awareness of one of the most pressing global challenges of the next 35 years: world hunger. A series of unique opportunities will take place at Harvard University for students, faculty, staff and members of the community to learn from these experts and others about the serious situation of global food security.
On April 24, a unique, interactive HungerU mobile exhibit will be in the courtyard area outside of the Harvard Kennedy School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit encourages people to learn about the global hunger challenge and solutions for feeding the world.
There will also be a "Take Your Seat at the Table" panel discussion starting at 5:15 p.m., at the Starr Auditorium, moderated by T.J. Menn, founder of the school's new agriculture professional interest council. It will be an open dialogue about hunger and agriculture solutions. Panelists include Harvard's Dr. Ray Goldberg, who developed the concept of agribusiness; Paul Willis, co-founder of Niman Ranch and a pioneer in sustainability; Donavon Taves, expert in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); and Leena Scaria, Harvard Kennedy School student who has participated in Farm Trek, an effort to learn more about where food comes from and the challenges agriculture faces.
"HungerU helps build awareness of the hunger issue and the critical role modern agriculture plays by putting food on our tables," said Tracee Shiebel, who travels with the exhibit as a member of the HungerU Crew. "We encourage people to take action in their communities to help meet the growing demand for safe, nutritious and affordable food."
Hunger and malnutrition are responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other cause. Even in the United States, one in six Americans goes to bed hungry at night. Future generations will also be faced with feeding the exploding population, which is expected to top 9 billion by 2050.
"As a global society we have significant nutrition security challenges, and those are only going to get more fierce as demand increases while resources shrink." said Margie Alsbrook, director of operations for HungerU and its partner Farm Journal Foundation. "Getting everyone involved regardless of their field of study and point of view is vital to the global hunger solution."
In the last two and a half years, the HungerU exhibit has been to nearly 70 universities throughout the United States and interacted with more than 175,000 students.