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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

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Granddaughter of Norman Borlaug to Visit Scarlet and Gray Ag Day

May 10, 2010

Editor's note: Julie Borlaug will be available for media interviews while visiting Scarlet and Gray Ag Day. The event runs from 9:45 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. on May 21. To make arrangements, contact Candace Pollock at 614-292-3799 or pollock.58@cfaes.osu.edu.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The legacy of Norman Borlaug -- agronomist, humanitarian, and Nobel Peace Prize winner -- continues at Ohio State University's Micki Zartman Scarlet and Gray Ag Day on May 21.

Borlaug, considered the father of the "Green Revolution" for lifting many developing countries out of poverty with research advances in food security, passed away last year. But his granddaughter, Julie Borlaug, continues his efforts and will visit Scarlet and Gray Ag Day to share her grandfather's ideas.

Over 600 central Ohio fourth and fifth graders will attend the annual event, which strives to educate students on agriculture and its importance to society through hands-on laboratory activities. This year's theme, "Inspiring Hunger Fighters," celebrates Borlaug's legacy. The event will be held on Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences campus in Columbus, at Woody Hayes Drive and Coffey Road.

Julie Borlaug will serve as a judge for this year's service learning projects and will address the students during lunch. She is assistant director of partnerships at the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M, and works to develop agricultural partnerships between public, private and philanthropic groups to further Norman Borlaug's mission.

"I am excited to come to Ohio State and attend Scarlet and Gray Ag Day. My grandfather felt it was important to invest in today's youth, who will be tomorrow's leaders," said Borlaug. "I know that my grandfather would be proud of this amazing program and would commend all at Ohio State and all who have made this event possible."

With only 1.7 percent of the U.S. population directly involved in agriculture production, Scarlet and Gray Ag Day allows students and teachers to learn about the diverse facets of agriculture that are often not part of the standard curriculum.

"It is extremely important that we educate our children about agriculture, the role it will play in their lives and how it will have a global effect," said Borlaug. "We must inspire children to learn more about the world and help them realize that they are the hope for the future and they can make a difference."

Scarlet and Gray Ag Day is an outreach of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. For more information visit http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~sg-agday/.

 

Author(s): 
Candace Pollock
Source(s): 
Leslie Risch