Terry Branstad, a former U.S. Ambassador and former Iowa governor, has made significant contributions to the World Food Prize Foundation. After serving in this prestigious role for nearly two years, he will be retiring on January 31. This marks the end of an era for the foundation, which he has helped to shape and grow.

"Terry Branstad's Impact on Global Food Security"

Early Years and Political Career

Terry Branstad served four terms as Iowa's governor from 1983 to 1999. This tenure encompassed the U.S. farm crisis, one of the most severe economic downturns to hit the state. His leadership during this time was crucial in addressing the challenges faced by farmers and the agricultural sector. Later, he returned to the governor's office from 2010 to 2017 and was then appointed as the ambassador to China by President Donald Trump, serving in this position until 2020. His extensive political experience has given him a unique perspective on global food security issues.He also served as the president of Des Moines University from 2003 to 2009, further demonstrating his diverse leadership skills. His involvement with the World Food Prize Foundation began in February 2023, and he expressed his pride in expanding the foundation's reach and deepening its commitment to building sustainable, resilient food systems worldwide.

The World Food Prize Foundation's Impact

The World Food Prize Foundation brings together hundreds of people each fall in Iowa's capital. This diverse group includes world political leaders, scientists, corporate executives, policymakers, activists, and smallholder farmers. They come together to discuss ways to battle global hunger. The event culminates in the awarding of the World Food Prize, which was founded by Iowa native Norman Borlaug in 1986. Borlaug, the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, is known as the "father of the Green Revolution" for his research that led to the creation of drought-resistant, high-yielding wheat varieties, saving a billion people from hunger.Last year, the foundation doubled the size of the World Food Prize to $500,000, surprising the 2023 winner, Heidi Kühn, the founder of Roots of Peace. This non-profit works with groups to remove mines from war-torn land, allowing residents to resume farming. This year's prize was awarded to Cary Fowler, the U.S. special envoy for global food security, and Geoffrey Hawtin, the founding director at the Global Crop Diversity Trust. They are behind the establishment of the Arctic Circle "Doomsday vault" holding 1.25 million seed samples, which can be used to rebuild much of the world's food supply in case of a catastrophe.

Leadership Transitions and Future Plans

Chief Operating Officer Mashal Husain will take over as president of the foundation. With 16 years of experience at the World Food Prize, Husain has played a key part in shaping the foundation's growth and strategic direction. Her deep expertise and passion make her the ideal choice for this position. She will be responsible for broad oversight of the foundation, including overseeing its Youth Institute and the Borlaug Dialogue.The Youth Institute brings students, teachers, and experts together to explore and address local, national, and global food security issues. The Borlaug Dialogue is a weeklong series of discussions and events in October that culminates in the awarding of the World Food Prize at the Iowa Capitol.The foundation is currently searching for a new chief executive who will focus on organizational leadership and global diplomacy. During this search, Husain will report to Paul Schickler, the chairman of the World Food Prize Foundation. Schickler praised Branstad's leadership, stating that it has left an indelible mark on the foundation, strengthening its global presence and financial stewardship.The World Food Prize Foundation continues to play a vital role in advancing global food security and is well-positioned for an exciting future under Husain's leadership.