Norman Borlaug Statue to be Installed on U.S. Capitol

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

A bronze statue will be placed in the U.S. Capitol next month in honor of Normal Borlaug.

Borlaug, was a famous American plant scientist best known for developing high-yielding wheat varieties, and is often referred to as the father of the agriculture movement – the Green Revolution.

In 1970, Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in food and agriculture. He also won numerous other accolades including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold medal, the highest civilian honor a person can receive in America.

The statue will be installed in the National Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol on March 25. It will take place on National Agriculture Day, and what would have been Borlaug’s 100th birthday. He died in 2009, in his 95th year.

South Dakota artist Benjamin Victor created the statue, which depicts Borlaug in his element – standing in a field of wheat, taking notes.