Calgary, AB, December 3, 2019 – Bayer is excited to announce that it will be funding several projects, aimed at tackling one of humanity’s greatest challenges: how to feed a growing population without starving the planet. Three young agricultural leaders who attended the 2019 Youth Ag Summit have been awarded EUR 5,000 each in funding to develop projects tackling food insecurity in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Three additional delegates, including Kelcie Miller-Anderson from Calgary, displayed exceptional qualities and have been nominated to represent young people in agriculture on the world stage. Kelcie will be attending Bayer’s 2020 Future of Farming Dialogue conference.

Beth Roden, Head of Global Communications for the Crop Science division of Bayer, said of the delegates: “Each of the 2019 Youth Ag Summit delegates is planting a path towards a more food secure world. The innovation, creativity and passion displayed by each of them – not just by our winners – is proof that the future of food is in safe hands. Bayer is proud to be supporting their efforts and we can’t wait to see what they do next.” 

Hosted by Bayer in partnership with the Nuffield International Farming Network and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the biennial Youth Ag Summit, which began in Calgary in 2013 in partnership with 4-H Canada, aims to give the next generation of agricultural change-makers a platform and provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to act on solutions for a more sustainable future.

Liam Condon, President of the Crop Science Division of Bayer, kicked off the event sharing Bayer’s purpose of shaping agriculture to benefit farmers, consumers and our planet, and challenged delegates to find their purpose in life. During the 2019 Summit, delegates worked in groups to develop their own project ideas for achieving Zero Hunger, while also providing feedback and input to each other.

Canada once again played an important role at the event, sending five delegates from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec. These young leaders brought their unique ideas and perspectives to the summit and have returned with new focus and energy. These delegates included:

• Kelcie Miller-Anderson from Calgary, AB

• Emmett Sawyer from Acme, AB

• Grace Heuver from Strathmore, AB

• Karly Rumpel from Craven, SK

• Leah Davidson from Sherbrooke, QC

"The summit was such an incredible experience to connect with other young people from around the world who all deeply care about creating positive change and impact,” said Kelcie, "I left the Youth Ag Summit reassured and hopeful because there were 99 other young people from countries around the world that are doing everything they can to create solutions and feed our planet.”

The delegates now join a community of over 400 Youth Ag Summit alumni globally—AgVocates who share the same commitment to achieving Zero Hunger and speaking on behalf agriculture. Each of them has already planted their path towards a more food secure future, and we are excited to see their ideas take root and blossom.

About the Youth Ag Summit

The Youth Ag Summit movement is a community of global young leaders championing sustainable agriculture and food security and working to bridge the understanding gap between those who produce our food and those who consume it. Every two years, 100 delegates are chosen to take part in the Summit. Previous editions have been hosted in Canada, Australia, and Belgium. This year’s Summit was the first to be held in Latin America. Bayer covered all travel, accommodation and related costs for the chosen delegates. The event was certified as carbon neutral.

The Summit is part of Bayer’s Agricultural Education Program: a holistic, long-term approach to encourage young people aged 18 to 28 to learn about sustainable agriculture. The program aims to inspire the next generation to learn more about modern agriculture and find solutions to global food security. As a research-driven company, Bayer is committed to driving societal acceptance of technology, as well as fostering a future talent pipeline of scientists.

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2018, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of 39.6 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.6 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.ca. 

About Nuffield Brazil

Nuffield Brazil is a member of the Nuffield International Farming Network, established in 1947 in the UK to promote excellence in agribusiness through personal, professional and social development of emerging leaders, especially farmers. Its main program, Nuffield International Farming Scholarships, develops and inspires producers and agri-professionals between 25 and 45 years of age who travel globally to find solutions for local issues and opportunities, and to become leaders in agriculture. With a network of more than 1,800 Nuffield Scholars around the world, participants are able to grow personally and contribute professionally through experiential travel and investigation of contemporary issues in agriculture. 

The scholarships are supported by forward-thinking companies, NGOs and individuals who see the importance of developing and challenging emerging agri-sector leaders with practical groundings and worldviews as they contribute throughout their lives to improving the sector. 

For more information, go to www.nuffieldinternational.org and  

www.nuffield.com.br.

About IICA

As the specialized agency of the Inter-American System for agriculture, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) supports the efforts of the Member States to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being. IICA’s mission is to encourage, promote and support its Member States in their efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being through international technical cooperation of excellence. As part of its vision, they aim to create a competitive, inclusive and sustainable inter-American agriculture that feeds the hemisphere and the world, while at the same time generating opportunities to reduce hunger and poverty among farmers and rural dwellers. Learn more at www.iica.int.

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Contact:

Komie Hossini

Associate Communications Business Partner – Crop Science

Bayer Crop Science Inc.

Phone:  403-462-9872

Email: Komie.hossini@bayer.com

Geoff Newsome

Senior Manager, Integrated Media

Weber Shandwick

Phone: 416-779-1849

Email: gnewsome@webershandwick.com