Welcome Students!

How will we sustainably feed 9 billion people?

Global sustainability begins with individual actions. The answers are ENDLESS. Here are a few essentials for making this happen:

– investing in innovation, technology and infrastructure that allows for precise farming and improved agribusiness

– sustainably intensify production on existing land so that it can reach its full potential – in other words – producing more food on the same amount of land in a way that protects the environment

– managing our water resources effectively and responsibly to make sure there is enough quality water for everyone

– helping to keep our soils healthy and fertile with programs such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship

– working together with everyone – all around the world – to ensure we are sharing Best Management Practices

– contributing to vibrant global markets which deliver economic, social and environmental benefits for everyone

– reducing food waste.

What do you want your world to look like in 2050? Imagine it, get involved and help us achieve global food sustainability.

Classroom Activity

Time yourself for 5 minutes and write down as many ideas (different than those above) as you can that answer this question: How will we sustainably feed 9 billion people?

Review your ideas with a partner and highlight the top 5 ideas (based on the most realistic solutions).

Tell your class your number one idea and how you think it will help address world food sustainability.

Submit your classes top idea to us along with your school name, teacher name, school address and school phone number. Contact Us

Food for Thought

What is the Ripple?

Greater crop yields feed the farm family and allow them to invest in farm inputs and best management practices, which can produce even more yield.

When farmers prosper their communities benefit through investments in education, medical care, infrastructure and environmental improvements.

As economic, environmental and social factors improve in a community, more opportunities are created throughout the region, country and eventually the world.

The ripple will need to go all around the world if we are to sustainably feed the population by 2050.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainable agriculture is the efficient production of food and fibre in a way that optimizes economic, social and environmental factors for long term success.

These factors are composed of many interdependent elements, such as soil health (environment), infrastructure (social) and employment (economic). A community is only as successful as the least developed sustainability factor. We must continually improve the weakest one.

Sustainability varies across the globe with each factor facing different opportunities and challenges.

It is clear that the more we collaborate now, the better the world will be.

Reducing Waste

A North American farmer in the 1900’s produced enough food for 10 people. Today’s farmer feeds over 120 people and tomorrow’s farmer will have to feed even more. By 2050, our growing population will require the equivalent of all the food grown in the last 500 years put together.

As more food is grown it is vital that we protect our environment. Sustainable agriculture helps protect natural landscapes (such as rainforests) from being converted into farmlands by growing more on existing lands using technology and best management practices.

Unfortunately, over 25% of our current food supply is wasted. In developed countries food is thrown out and over consumed and in developing countries food is lost to unreliable storage and transportation. Hunger is often caused by food waste and inequality of distribution, not scarcity.

To feed 9 billion people we need to reduce food waste and sustainably intensify production on existing land so that it can reach its full potential.