This conference invitation follows the selection of Penn State to host the North American laboratory for young peopleA key program of the youth initiative of the Food Forum. A global network of five Catering laboratories for young people Covering Europe, Asia and South America, the program hires young people to combat global food security and climate change. Penn State will contribute to the youth laboratory network, will fill the innovation gap and make programs and food laboratory resources for young people more visible and accessible to innovators in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
After the United Nations Conference, the college welcomed a FAO delegation to the University Park campus. The delegation’s route included a series of commitments designed to enhance Penn State’s commitment to agricultural innovation and education.
Troy OTT, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, welcomed the delegates on the campus, followed by a dinner with teachers of the Global Teach AG Network, co-directed by Melanie Miller Foster, associate professor of international agriculture, and Daniel Foster, associate professor of agricultural training and extension.
The group also met student leaders, notably Zilfa Irakoze, a doctoral student who pursues a double -title diploma in food and agriculture and international development; Ashley Olstrom, student with two doctoral titles studying food sciences and microbiomas; Amelia Wyckoff, a first cycle that specializes in the community, the environment and development and geography, with a minor in international agriculture; And Ben Lindgren, who specializes in international policy and in the community, the environment and development.
The delegation has also visited several sites on the campus, including the LAB plantvillage, where researchers use artificial intelligence to help small operators across Africa, Asia and Americas adapt to climate change. They also did a The Learning Factory, The Launchbox Innovation Hub and Originlabs, highlighting part of Penn State’s ability to support young innovators.
A working lunch focused on real impact research strategies, bringing together teachers and staff of the Penn State entrepreneurial ecosystem to discuss the programming and innovation resources.
Spencer noted that the University sponsors two new cohorts of academic delegation in addition to programming for young entrepreneurs in collaboration with the World Food Forum Youth Assembly.
“This collaboration connects our students to a global conversation and offers engagement opportunities not only to innovators, but also to students interested in research, policy and the dissemination of innovation,” she said.
The visit culminated with the official signing of a collaboration agreement between FAO and the College of Agricultural Sciences for the World Food Forum Youth Food Lab in Penn State.