Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences welcomed a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or FAO, to University Park last week to mark the first anniversary of the World Food Forum Youth Food Lab North America at Penn State partnership and to explore opportunities to deepen collaboration on global agrifood systems, innovation and education.
The visit highlighted a growing partnership between the college and FAO, built on a strong foundation of engagement in food security research, teaching and outreach, according to Deanna Behring, assistant dean and director of Ag Sciences Global.
“As a land-grant university, our college has had a long-standing mission — dating back to 1961 and the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act that called upon universities to build partnerships in the name of food security and the development of agriculture as an underpinning to healthy and equitable communities and economies globally,” she said. “This new step in our partnership with FAO builds on our previous engagement by bringing new energy and innovation to areas critical to both our missions.”
During FAO’s recent visit, Penn State leadership, faculty and students engaged with Beth Bechdol, FAO deputy director-general; Lauren Phillips, director of partnerships and UN collaboration; and Jocelyn Brown Hall, director of the Liaison Office for North America, along with other members of the delegation, during a day focused on global agrifood systems, innovation and workforce development.
Source : psu.edu