News : V-S FFA Attends Iowa Youth Institute

Madeline Pingenot, Nora Grovert, Cole Birker, Jenna Grovert, and Kirsten Pettit at the Iowa Youth Institute.

By: Co-Reporter, Bri Dulin

On April 8, five students from the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter traveled to Ames to participate in the Iowa Youth Institute, a prestigious event focused on addressing global challenges related to food security, agriculture, and sustainability. The institute brought together students from across the state to share ideas, present research, and engage with industry professionals. To qualify for the Iowa Youth Institute, each student spent several weeks researching a global issue connected to food insecurity in a specific country. Students wrote a research paper outlining the challenges that country faces, analyzed contributing factors, and proposed realistic, research-based solutions. They also prepared to present their findings in a roundtable discussion format, where they responded to questions from experts and engaged in conversations with peers.

Nora Grovert shared, “I researched Ethiopia and focused on malnutrition. My recommendation was to promote sustainable dietary diversity through nutrition education, support local food systems, and strengthen WASH programs. This addresses current food insecurity while helping build long-term solutions for future generations.” Her twin, Jenna Grovert, said, “I researched Chad and focused on population growth. This was a very educational event where I got to listen to keynote speakers like Tom Vilsack, David Cook, and the head football coach at Iowa State. I presented my topic in a roundtable with judges who asked questions. My paper highlighted Chad’s population growth and the causes, including political instability and lack of healthcare.” Kirsten Pettit researched Haiti, focusing on the impact of climate change on food security. Cole Birker examined how severe soil degradation and erosion in Zimbabwe affect food systems, proposing solutions such as introducing reduced or no-tillage practices to help farmers conserve their land. Madeline Pingenot explored how planting aquatic vegetation could improve water quality in Palestine and support more sustainable food systems.

The next step for these students is to wait for results to see if they are selected as Borlaug Scholars through the World Food Prize Foundation. Those chosen will have the opportunity to participate in the Global Youth Institute, where they will connect with students and experts from around the world and continue their work toward solving global hunger challenges.