3.28.2012

March 28, 2012


White Dog and The White Dog Army
Wonderful World Wednesday

 White Dog and The White Dog Army frequently hear discussions around our table and at gatherings about how incredibly fortunate we are to live in a place and time of bounty. Compared to most of the world we have a wealth of living space, amenities, and a seemingly unlimited supply of water and food. They know that simply having clean water and a steady diet would eliminate starvation, diseases, death, and even armed conflicts for millions. The White Dog Army sees photos of street dogs that are starving and it breaks their hearts; pictures of malnourished children send us in tears to beg the Universe for a relief to such horrific suffering.

The WDA finds hope in those volunteers who work tirelessly to teach more effective well digging and farming techniques. We salute researches working to improve crop yields on native plants that will provide more food. We support worldwide organizations that seek to educate and provide assistance. We know human ingenuity CAN find ways to care for our brothers and sisters.

Last Sunday was the 98th birthday of an unsung hero in the battle to feed the world. Norman E. Borlaug, was a farm boy from Iowa who received the Nobel Peace Prize for starting the Green Revolution and known as “the man who saved more lives than any other person who has ever lived.”
Borlaug received his Ph.D. in plant pathology and genetics from the University of Minnesota in 1942. His research led to the development of a high-yield, disease-resistant wheat variety.
During the mid-20th century, Borlaug led the charge to introduce the high-yield grain along with modern agricultural techniques to Mexico, Pakistan, and India. As a result, Mexico became a net exporter of wheat by 1963 and wheat yields nearly doubled in Pakistan and India, providing those nations with unprecedented food security.
These collective increases in yield have been labeled the Green Revolution, and Borlaug is often credited with saving over a billion people worldwide from starvation.

Later in his life, he helped apply these methods of increasing food production to Asia and Africa.

Borlaug will receive a perfect “gift” to honor his memory — the creation of a program to reach into every high school to inspire students to study science and alleviate hunger in the world. The World Food Prize is creating the Iowa Youth Institute.
The concept is simple. Students research a country and a pressing food-related issue there, and then develop proposed solutions. Each high school selects one student to be recognized as its Borlaug scholar. With a teacher, the student attends a daylong program at Iowa State University on April 30 to interact with leading educators, business executives, government officials and research scientists. Then, 80 students are chosen to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October.
Each student who participates on April 30 receives a $500 scholarship to Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, an opportunity to become a Borlaug-Ruan International Intern, and further opportunity to become a paid USDA Wallace-Carver Intern. Participating teachers can earn a full continuing education credit.
The ultimate goal is to have every high school in Iowa participating in the Youth Institute by the centennial of Borlaug’s birth in 2014. One of his greatest dreams was a nationwide program that encouraged students to focus on science, especially as it relates to agriculture, food production and preserving our environment.
The White Dog Army hopes wonderful ideas come from these fresh open minds and that through their efforts we will one day live in a world where every person and pup goes to bed safe and well nourished.  Happy Birthday, Norman…and, thank you.

13 comments:

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

If only we could see a world free of hunger and illness and war, it would be a very beautiful thing. But it seems the world has become an entirely different thing where hunger is a way of life that just seems to be accepted. So sad.

Brian's Home Blog said...

That Norman sounds so cool, and smart too! Another dream that we hope comes true!

meowmeowmans said...

What a wonderful man Norman Borlaug was, and what a beautiful legacy he left. We hope his vision can someday become reality.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I hope Normans dream can come true someday too. What a different world this could be- "if only"
love
tweedles

bichonpawz said...

Wouldn't it be a beautiful thing if we didn't have all of this illness and hunger and war? We hope and hope and hope some more that things will get better!! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

Jo's World said...

Minnesotans are filled with pride when they hear Norman Borlaug's name and legacy invoked!

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

24 Paws of Love said...

I think I saw a special on this guy or someone who was doing the same type of thing. Awesome stuff!!

Teddy Bear said...

Happy Birthday, Norman. Thank you for making a difference. We do hope that his dreams do really come true.

Love,
Teddy Bear & Sierra

Bailey Be Good! said...

Amen to that. Wishing too that his dream comes true. :)

Woofs & hugs, <3

~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

Asta said...

Dawling white doggies
Thank you fow salooting this wondewful man
Mommi and I say " if only" so often. No mowe disease, no mowe satwvation, no mowe waws..it's a dweam, but hoomans lime him ackshully twy to. Achieve it

Thank you
Smoochie kiisses
Asta

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Another man very worthy of our praise. Once again we say that it just is so awful that we have to see such suffering pictures on the TV. In our modern day universe there should not be children suffering like the children we see. we can give to help and we do but oh how heart breaking to see that they suffer so and die too.We pray that soon there will be no more hunger and that every man,woman, child and animal have enough food and water in their bellies to survive and live a good life. Not fortunes just the basic that everyone deserves. dreams can come true.. Hugs GJ xx

Random Felines said...

we couldn't agree more - THANK YOU NORMAN!!! For helping to feed millions, thinking ahead of your time, and for leading the next generation.....

Remington said...

Thanks to Norman! I certainly wish that would come true also....