Special Envoy for Global Food Security Dr. Cary Fowler

We know that the current pace of incremental change in crop yields is going to leave us far short by 2050. We need to act boldly. We need some game changing developments in agriculture and food security. U.S. Department of State, The Rockefeller Foundation, African Union, FAO, AGRA, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), CGIAR, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Feed the Future

A VACS Champion working to increase demand for a diverse range of nutritious crops! The Global Child Nutrition Foundation leads by organizing workshops that can create demand for climate-smart and nutritious foods through home-grown school feeding. Its Global Survey of School Meal Programs provides governments and stakeholders with information that synergizes with the goals of the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils. We appreciate GCNF and welcome our future champions! Arlene Mitchell, Ron Kleinman, Emily F., Francis Mwanza, FAO, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils has expanded into the Pacific Islands! The Pacific Community, in partnership with Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, will coordinate expertise and information-sharing on land management practices and underinvested, nutritious crop varieties. Through the Pacific Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (PACS), we will work with communities, farmers, non-government organizations and the private sector, and will draw upon the knowledge of research institutions, international institutions, and governments.   Pacific Community-SPC, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, MFAT in Auckland, U.S. Department of State

A VACS Champion! In #Burundi, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is enhancing orange flesh sweet potatoes; in #CentralAfricanRepublic, WHH is providing information on agroecological training for improved opportunity crops like groundnuts; and in #Niger, WHH is strengthening seeds systems with its work that focuses on millet, sorghum, cowpea, and groundnut. We thank WHH for committing to the VACS approach, and we welcome our future VACS Champions. https://lnkd.in/eCqrFTtk

#Meettheteam. Tim Evans is a special assistant in the U.S. Department of State, Office of Global Food Security. Tim provides guidance and recommendations on food security issues impacting the Middle East and Western Hemisphere. He leads our Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils efforts in Guatemala. Tim previously served in the US Navy as Hospital Corpsman and joined the Department in 2020. Tim is an alumnus of San Diego State University and George Mason University."

Transforming food systems with climate resilient solutions is essential as we consider the conditions of nutrition and food insecurity. Dr. Roy Steiner from The Rockefeller Foundation will present on this topic at the VACS Working Group Community of Practice, On Tuesday, August 20 at 9AM EST. We welcome you to the conversation. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), FAO

Climate-smart agriculture and food security were topics at the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations yesterday in Annapolis, Maryland. The United States and Australian governments committed to continue working with the Secretariat for the Pacific Community in support of Pacific efforts that improve climate-smart agriculture and food security.  Both governments agreed that food security and climate-smart agriculture are climate change priorities for the Pacific region. Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/ePziMZFg

ICYMI: Last month U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Prescott spoke at the World Farmer's Markets Coalition in Rome. "We know local and regional food systems play a critical role in feeding the world. These markets have the potential to expand income opportunities, stabilize food supplies and food prices, reduce food loss and waste, and improve nutrition." Click here for his full remarks: https://lnkd.in/emmMu3NV Naomi Mattos, Ann Wise, US Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome

Deputy Special Envoy Anna Merrall Nelson addresses the connection between climate change and food insecurity during a presentation with content influencers today at the U.S. Department of State. Looking forward to seeing the lessons learned.

We are hiring! Come join the Global Food Security team at the U.S. Department of State. We are seeking a Foreign Affairs Officer to formulate and promote U.S. food and nutrition security policy, priorities, and objectives. Full announcement follows. https://lnkd.in/eH6SX7Ta