WV Farm Bureau Magazine June 2014 | Page 16

Understanding Our Food: In West Virginia and Our World Kimberly Reed, Executive Director, International Food Information Council Foundation I grew up on a small farm in Upshur County near Buckhannon, West Virginia. Following the passing of my mother to cancer in 1980 when I was just nine years old, my grandparents – Max and Avis Reed – stepped in to help my father Terry raise my younger brother Mark and me. Although this was a time of big change, it also introduced some important things into my life, especially the love of farming and agriculture. My grandparents, known as Mommers and Poppers, who were long-time members of the WV Farm Bureau, brought me to live on their farm on the Tallmansville Road. Soon, I, a shy, book-focused child, was in the out-of-doors doing all things associated with a farm, from picking strawberries in our garden to helping put up the hay to fishing in the pond. I found peace in simple activities like climbing to the tops of trees, interacting with the cows, riding the tractor with Poppers, and helping Mommers clean and string beans under our grapevine. And, how I loved going to those WV Farm Bureau covered-dish dinners every year! I now live in Washington, DC, and am Executive Director of the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation. The IFIC Foundation (www. foodinsight.org) is an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to effectively communicating science-based information about health, nutrition, and food safety for the public good. As part of our organization’s efforts, we want to build public understanding of things like the importance of modern food production and the role of food biotechnology, especially as we approach the year 2050. Between now and then, a mere 36 years away, the population of our planet will increase by 2 billion – from 7 to 9 billion people. Along with this monumental population increase comes an important role for those involved in farming and agriculture, including those in West Virginia. It is my hope that West Virginia Farm Bureau members will join me and many others in building awareness of the important role that you play feeding our 16 West Virginia Farm Bureau News communities, state, country, and world. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, by 2050, we will need 100 percent more food and 70 percent of it must come from efficiencyenhancing technologies. Here are a few science-based communication resources that can be helpful to you in sharing this story: Understanding Our Food Communications Tool Kit (includes Leader’s Guide and five handouts): http:// www.foodinsight.org/understandingourfood.aspx Food Biotechnology: A Communicator’s Guide to Improving Understanding (also available in foreign languages): http://www.foodinsight.org/ foodbioguide.aspx The Role of Biotechnology in Our Food Supply (PowerPoint Slides for you to download and use in your own presentations in your communities - please attribute to the IFIC Foundation): http://www.foodinsight.org/ Default.aspx?tabid=1477 Alliance to Feed the Future (a 121 partner organization and growing) Lunchbox Lessons (which meet common core educational standards) for teachers, club leaders, home school parents, etc. focused on students in grades K-8: http://www. alliancetofeedthefuture.org/new/FarmtoForkResources/ ForEducators.aspx I also want to recommend a fantastic new movie – Farmland – that I recently had the privilege of seeing at its press debut at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman, a wonderful advocate for Farm Bureau members across the nation, provided the introduction and also took questions from the journalists in the audience. If you want more information on where to see the film or to watch the trailer, go to: http://www. farmlandfilm.com/.