Loss of Borlaug is a 'tragedy,' agriculture dean says

Norman Borlaug, the man credited for saving a billion lives through his work in agriculture, passed away Saturday night in his Texas home from complications of cancer. Borlaug was 95.

“The loss of Norman Borlaug to the world is a tremendous tragedy,” said Wendy Wintersteen, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Even in his last year of his life here, he has contributed to the national dialogue on how we continue to meet the growing demand for food worldwide. It was his vision and his leadership that made a difference so many, many years ago in many different countries.”

Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in developing wheat varieties that tripled grain production. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1979.

He founded the World Food Prize in 1986 to recognize individuals who improve food quality, quantity and availability.

In 2007, his name joined the company of such people as Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandela, all U.S. Congressional Gold Medal recipients.

“The world has lost a great hero,” said ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, president of the World Food Prize, in a statement on the World Food Prize Web site. “Dr. Borlaug’s tireless commitment to ending hunger had an enormous impact on the course of history. He will be remembered with love and appreciation throughout the world.”

The Borlaug Learning Center was named in his honor earlier this month in Nashua, about 50 miles from Borlaug’s childhood home in Cresco.

Wintersteen said the center is “another visible reminder of what he left to the world.” The facility includes a display about Borlaug’s life and his contributions to the world.

Mark Honeyman, professor of animal science and coordinator of the ISU research farms, said the learning facility, located on the northeast research farm, will serve as a long-standing tribute to Borlaug.

“He’s been a leader in keeping our focus on world food issues and an inspiration to many,” Honeyman said. “We’re going to remember his legacy through the Borlaug [Learning] Center and through the World Food Prize and through other internships that are related to his work. His leadership will be greatly missed by many.”