Vilsack to Lead World Food Prize

WASHINGTON (DTN) -- Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will become the new chief executive officer for the World Food Prize Foundation in March.

The World Food Prize Foundation is announcing Tuesday that Vilsack will take over the position at the beginning of March. "As CEO, Vilsack will leverage his extensive leadership and diplomatic experience to enhance the Foundation's global impact in food security and sustainable agriculture," the foundation stated.

In an interview with DTN last month, Vilsack said he wasn't ready to retire. "I know enough about myself to know that retirement is not something that I'd be particularly good at," he said.

With his time as governor and Agriculture secretary in two different Democratic administrations, Vilsack said he has 30-plus years of experience in agriculture, food security and nutrition challenges globally. The World Food Prize position provides an avenue to continue working on food security and global nutrition challenges, which Vilsack said are "two very important components of the work we've done here" under both the Biden and Obama administrations.

"So, in a sense, it's a continuation and opportunity for me to continue to work in this space that I know and that I think I can make a contribution in, and certainly to the extent that it involves operating in a foundation that was established by Norman Borlaug and the Ruan family," Vilsack said.

The World Food Prize Foundation was created to build on the work of Iowa native Norman Borlaug, a plant breeder known for the "Green Revolution" in agriculture and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. John Ruan, a Des Moines businessman and philanthropist, was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the foundation. The group brings in hundreds of people globally for the annual Borlaug Dialogue, which recognizes people and groups that have helped reduce world hunger.

"These are visionary people, and to be able to have an opportunity to add to and to enhance the legacy of the World Food Prize is a pretty good opportunity, and I'm obviously grateful that it's in Des Moines, because it gives me a chance to be with family, and which has sacrificed a significant amount of time over the course of my public service career."

Vilsack's appointment builds on his relationship with the foundation, where he served on the council of advisers and board of directors to help shape the group's initiatives and direction.

The secretary also said he is excited about some of the work done by the foundation with students, which includes the Global Youth Institute.

"With the youth involvement -- getting the next generation prepared to take on leadership responsibility -- that is something I've always been excited to be part of. I think you'll see in the work that I do, that there's a connection there as well," he said.

The job would allow Vilsack to continue highlighting the importance of addressing food insecurity nationally and globally. Oftentimes, he said, policymakers don't do a good enough job of explaining the public interest in addressing food-security challenges upfront.

"I don't think there's any question in my mind; I am convinced of this: you can have the best-written Constitution and Declaration of Independence in the history of mankind, but that does not guarantee stability and peace within a country," Vilsack said. "What does guarantee peace and stability within a country is a functioning economy and systems that basically protect and help people who are not benefiting at a particular point in time in that functioning economy. If you have a lot of unemployed people, and you have a lot of hungry people, you'll have a lot of angry people who see no reason why they should preserve the status quo or contribute to the status quo. They see every reason to tear it down. So, if you look at all the hot spots in the world today, you're going to find a lot of unemployed people, and you're going to find a lot of hungry people."

To the extent that countries address hunger challenges, Vilsack said that reduces restlessness among young people and allows both businesses and governments to focus on building a more sustainable economy.

"The second thing I'm convinced of is that every major economy in the world today didn't get to where it got without having a functioning, profitable agricultural economy, because at the end of the day, that's the foundation, and you need to maintain that foundation and build on it," he said.

More than 150 Nobel Prize and World Food Prize laureates on Jan. 14 wrote a letter calling for a "moonshot" from world leaders to prioritize research and financial support to meet the world's demand for food needs over the next 25 years.

Vilsack also has criticized U.S. agricultural policy, which he sees as placing too much emphasis in the farm bill of helping the largest farmers in the country rather than smaller producers. As he's frequently repeated, the top 10% of producers received 85% of net farm income in 2022, the year the country saw record farm income.

"I mean, it's just incredibly important that we have a functioning agricultural economy that supports the 90% over here and globally," he said. "It's important that we explain and understand that to the extent we create an economy where farmers are making even a little money, that would have a profound impact on the stability and security of all of us. Particularly focus on places where there is the greatest level of risk, like Africa, for example. That's where half of the increased population is going to come in the next 15 years, which means you're going to have an extraordinarily young, unemployed, significant population with governments that aren't necessarily particularly stable today. We'd better address global food security in our own best interest. Forget about the compassionate humanitarian. We've got to do it because it's the right thing to do. It's a way to keep us safe."

The World Food Prize stated Vilsack will focus on expanding the group's global network. He also will position the foundation as a leader in addressing global food insecurity. Foundation President Mashal Husain will continue to drive innovative programming, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of food systems transformation.

"The Foundation is entering an exciting era," said Foundation Board Chair Paul Schickler. "Secretary Vilsack's unparalleled diplomatic acumen, cultivated over decades of public service and leadership, uniquely positions him to engage global stakeholders and foster meaningful collaborations. Paired with Mashal's innovative programmatic vision and her deep dedication to driving impactful initiatives, these dynamic leaders will guide the Foundation to new heights. Together, they will honor Dr. Norman Borlaug's legacy by addressing the most pressing global food challenges with bold action, strategic alliances, and a commitment to equity and sustainability."

"It is an honor to welcome Secretary Vilsack to the Foundation," said Husain. "Together, we will focus on driving transformative change in food security, ensuring our work has lasting global impact, and inspiring bold ideas and collaborative solutions to address the challenges facing our world."

Vilsack will replace retiring CEO Terry Branstad, who also served as Iowa's governor before Vilsack became governor in 1999.

Also see, "Ag Secretary Vilsack Said Agriculture Places Too Much Emphasis on Farm Bill," https://www.dtnpf.com/… .

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com

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