Foundation for Agriculture Selects Winning Essays
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 21, 2010 – The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture recently announced the winners of the “Agriculture in a Growing World” student essay competition. The contest was sponsored by the Foundation with the support of Alpharma. It recognizes high school students and teachers for increasing their understanding of agriculture using the Foundation’s 2008 Book of the Year, “The Man Who Fed the World,” an authorized biography of Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug written by Leon Hesser.

Bobbie-Jean Tatum, a 10th-grade student at Union County High School in Florida, was awarded $500 for her 1st place essay. Her school received a $1,000 grant to further agricultural education. Rebekah Raulerson, Tatum’s Honors English teacher, received a $2,000 scholarship to attend the 2010 Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Baltimore, Md.

Alix Bjorklund, a 10th-grade student at Green Bay East High School in Wisconsin, received $250 for her 2nd place essay. Her school was awarded a $500 grant to further agricultural education.

Katie Brandes, a 12th-grade student at Batesville High School in Indiana, was presented with $100 for her 3rd place essay. Her school received a $250 grant to further agricultural education.

“It is encouraging to see young adults developing informed opinions about Dr. Borlaug’s work and how growing global food demand should be met over the next 40 years,” said Curtis Miller, the Foundation’s director of education.  “We are pleased to feature this book and provide the curriculum and the opportunity for students to apply the knowledge gained from participation in this program.”

Students at 10 high schools where the Foundation’s teacher’s guide for “The Man Who Fed the World” was pilot tested in 2009 were eligible to enter the competition. Students were asked to write an essay summarizing their position on promoting modern agricultural technologies and practices in developing countries as a way to accommodate production growth and spur development. “The Man Who Fed the World” describes Borlaug’s lifelong quest to feed the world through his contributions as a scientist involved in global agricultural development efforts.