Ag Sciences Global to Host a Four-Part Virtual Food-Security Seminar Series

Students and others interested in learning about the complexities of food security are encouraged to participate in a virtual seminar series hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

The college’s Ag Sciences Global unit received a Gilman International Scholarship Grant from the U.S. Department of State to present the Gilman Global Food Security Virtual Seminar, which will be held beginning at 1 p.m. on Feb. 9 and 23, March 29 and April 26.

The interactive seminars will address the four pillars of food security and examine them from economic, political, social and technological perspectives, according to Noel Habashy, assistant teaching professor and coordinator of the international agriculture minor in the college.

“Future and current leaders must navigate challenges of ensuring people have food in a changing world amidst climate change, conflict and other challenges,” he said. “Equipping the next generation with a grasp of vital aspects of food security, including academic, policy and organizational insights, is crucial for their leadership journey.”

Presentation topics are “Current Status of Global Food Security,” “Climate Change and Global Food Security,” “Gender and Global Food Security,” and “Government and Global Food Security.”

Habashy explained that the sessions will be interactive and use inventive content presentation methods. In addition to the college and Ag Sciences Global, organizations participating include the U.S. Agency for International Development, Oxfam, the U.S. Department of State and the World Agroforestry Centre.

“We have an outstanding lineup of experts that bring unique insight into food security,” Habashy said. “We will have a strong focus on gender and the importance of understanding gender issues in the agriculture system as part of the overall policy framework for development.”

According to Habashy, panel discussions will include experts in specific subject areas and individuals with firsthand experience living in different parts of the world. They will share their insights on effective and ineffective strategies for addressing food insecurity and will join the sessions from as close as Pennsylvania and as far as Kenya.

Ag Sciences Global in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has helped more than 300 undergraduate students graduate with knowledge about our global agriculture system through the international agriculture minor and has assisted more than 3,000 undergraduates with agriculture-specific study abroad opportunities.

The unit is home to a unique graduate dual-title degree program. In the last 10 years, more than 60 students have graduated with master’s or doctoral degrees in international agriculture and development to complement the technical expertise gained through their primary graduate degree program. Faculty in the college have received more than $100 million of external funds for global work, and donors have contributed more than $2 million in private funds to support work and program development worldwide.

“We are grateful for the Department of State’s recognition of our college as an expert resource for education and information about global food security,” said Deanna Behring, the college’s assistant dean for international programs. “In 2017, with similar funding, we hosted 50 Fulbright scholars from around the world at Penn State for food security programming, including visits to local farms and food-related businesses.”