In this special episode of The Iowa Podcast, host Justin Brady sits down with Ray Gaesser, a corn, soybean, and cereal rye farmer from Corning, Iowa, during the World Food Prize’s Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines. Gaesser brings both humility and a global outlook to the conversation, underscoring the vital connection between local farming and international food security. As a long-time supporter of the World Food Prize Foundation, Gaesser speaks not as a policy expert, but as someone who lives the agricultural mission daily.
He shares that his passion for the event stems from its ability to unite people around one goal: feeding the world. “It’s a really great showcase of agriculture around the world,” he says. Having attended and contributed to multiple events—from the Hunger Summit to private gatherings at the Foundation—Gaesser sees the World Food Prize as a powerful engine for positive global change.
The Awareness Gap in Iowa
Despite its global importance, Gaesser is candid about the fact that many Iowans remain unaware of what the World Food Prize actually does. “Maybe we’re not advertising enough,” he admits, suggesting that the foundational work being done isn’t reaching the broader public in Iowa. He hopes the podcast helps bridge that knowledge gap and amplify the story of agricultural innovation.
For Gaesser, the mission transcends borders. “Agriculture is Iowa, and Iowa is agriculture,” he emphasizes. Drawing from his travels with the soybean industry, he notes that farmers worldwide share similar values: dedication to land, family, and community. “Every farmer is pretty much the same… they love what they do,” he says.
Shared Values Across Borders
Gaesser believes the real value of the Borlaug Dialogue lies in its ability to connect people with shared goals. “It’s a learning process… and when we work together, we all benefit,” he explains. Events like this, he says, serve as rare opportunities to exchange ideas and build coalitions that can address hunger, clean water, and sustainable farming practices.
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He highlights the presence of companies and organizations that truly care about outcomes beyond profit—those that are actively contributing to feeding and clothing the world. For Gaesser, it’s this blend of idealism and practicality that makes the World Food Prize such a compelling space for real solutions.
The Next Big Push: Infrastructure
When asked about what’s next for the agricultural community and the World Food Prize, Gaesser points to a single word: infrastructure. “It’s clean water, it’s transportation, it’s communication,” he says. He believes that while agricultural innovation is important, those tools can only be effective in regions with reliable infrastructure.
Better infrastructure, Gaesser notes, isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about dignity and opportunity. “When you have a good infrastructure, it’s a lot easier to make a living too.” The statement underscores his belief that solving global hunger isn’t just about growing more food—it’s about building systems that support communities.
A Life in Agriculture, A Legacy of Advocacy
Although he once ran for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Gaesser identity remains firmly tied to the land. When Brady jokingly refers to him as the World Food Prize’s “chief advocate,” Gaesser smiles and responds, “Just farmer is my most proudest vocation.” It’s a powerful reminder that some of the most credible voices in global food discussions come straight from the fields.
Gaesser’s humility and lived experience bring credibility to a conversation too often dominated by distant policymakers. Through his voice, listeners are reminded that agriculture’s most enduring strength lies in the people who carry its values forward every day, from Iowa to the international stage.