The Intern

Hi! My name is Isabell Olsasky, and I’m from Milo, Iowa. This summer, I will serve as a Borlaug-Ruan International Intern at CIMMYT. I plan to attend college at Iowa State University to study Agronomy. I’m excited about this internship as a chance to step out of my comfort zone, grow personally and professionally, and explore new opportunities in agriculture. I first became involved with the World Food Prize Foundation through the Iowa Youth Institute. I was the 5th Place Global Challenge Recipient at the Global Youth Institute. I'm incredibly grateful to the World Food Prize Foundation and everyone who has supported me along the way.

A fun fact about me is that my favorite food is meatballs!

CIMMYT

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in El Batan, Mexico, has hosted seventeen high school interns since 1998.

Established in 1943, CIMMYT is a non-profit research and training center that works to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems to ensure global food security and reduce poverty by bringing together public research and extension organizations, private companies, advanced research institutes, NGOs, and farmer associations in countries worldwide.

The CIMMYT carries out research and development in plant breeding, genetic resources, sustainable production, and socioeconomics.

Headquartered in El Batan, outside of Mexico City, CIMMYT has research centers in thirteen countries.

The World Food Prize Foundation

The World Food Prize's Mission:

"To elevate innovations and inspire action to sustainably increase the quality, quantity, and availability of food for all"

The Foundation supports this mission through programs:

  • Recognizing and rewarding individuals making exceptional achievements in addressing food security;
  • Convening global leaders in Des Moines each year to address the latest issues and innovations in food and agriculture;
  • Inspiring and recognizing exceptional students in Iowa, in the U.S. and around the world by providing educational and professional experiences on pressing food security and agriculture issues; and
  • Addressing Iowa's challenges and successes in fighting hunger and poverty through the Iowa Hunger Summit and Directory.

The Goal?

The goal of this website is to allow the public to follow my experience through blogs, journals, and other media. I hope you all enjoy it!

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