In this special edition of the Iowa Podcast, recorded during the World Food Prize’s Borlaug Dialogue, host Justin Brady captures a rare cross-section of voices that drive the global food security conversation—from international leaders to Iowa farmers. Interviews with Mashal Husain, President of the World Food Prize Foundation; Brent Renner, soybean farmer and United Soybean Board member; and Ray Gaesser, Iowa farmer and global agriculture advocate, paint a rich portrait of how Iowa’s heartland is influencing global hunger solutions.
The Visionary at the Helm: Mashal Husain and the Borlaug Dialogue’s Expanding Legacy
Mashal Husain, President of the World Food Prize Foundation, outlines a bold and globally resonant mission for the organization. Rooted in three strategic pillars—awarding excellence, convening global dialogue, and inspiring youth—the Foundation’s annual Borlaug Dialogue transforms Des Moines into what Husain calls “a mini United Nations.”
With over 1,400 global delegates from 50 countries in attendance, the event attracts a diverse network: scientists, ministers of agriculture, ag-tech innovators, humanitarian leaders, and Nobel laureates. Husain emphasizes that this is more than ceremony—it’s about catalyzing real-world solutions. “We are an awarding and recognizing organization… We are a convener of conversations… [and] we are about inspiring the next generation.”
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Her personally launched initiative, Dialogue Next, expands the Foundation’s reach with regionally focused events in Mexico, India, and Africa, each honoring Dr. Norman Borlaug’s historical agricultural contributions.
“Through these conversations, ideas brew, and… problems get solved.” For Iowans who may feel the event is too elite or global for their participation, Husain dispels the myth: “Each of us is capable of making our mark and doing something, you know, putting a drop in the ocean, and making an impact.”
The Soybean Solution: Brent Renner on Feeding the World with Innovation
For Brent Renner, a soybean farmer from Clemons, Iowa, and representative of the United Soybean Board, soybeans are more than a crop—they are a global solution. Speaking with Brady, Renner highlights soy’s versatility and its expanding role in emerging markets, sustainable infrastructure, and humanitarian nutrition. “Soybeans are one of those very unique crops… that can do so many things.”
From protein-rich human and animal diets to soy-based rubber, asphalt, and firefighting foam, Renner’s perspective reflects a broader theme of agricultural innovation as humanitarian strategy. “We’re seeing soy being used as an everyday resource for low-income families to have in their diets.”
Yet, Renner emphasizes that technology and production aren’t the only challenges. Cultural understanding and logistical barriers remain key. “There are cultural differences between countries… we’re trying to educate different regions on how soy can fit into their food systems.” He stresses awareness as the most powerful tool for Iowans: not only about soy’s value but about their state’s role in the fight against hunger.
The Farmer-Advocate: Ray Gaesser on Global Agriculture, Infrastructure, and Iowa’s Legacy
Ray Gaesser, a corn and soybean farmer from southwest Iowa, provides the closing reflection—one rooted in both advocacy and humility. A former candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Gaesser underscores the Foundation’s unique power to unite global and local communities around common goals. “Agriculture is Iowa, and Iowa is agriculture.”
Gaesser has traveled the world representing Iowa agriculture and says this convergence of leaders, farmers, and youth is a rare opportunity to build genuine solutions. His support for the World Food Prize is both personal and generational.
“We all care about what we do… We love caring for the land and feeding people at the same time.” But the biggest obstacle, he argues, is not technology—it’s infrastructure. Clean water, transportation, and connectivity remain limiting factors in agricultural development abroad. “When you have a good infrastructure, it’s a lot easier to make a living too.”
For Gaesser, showcasing this level of thought leadership from Des Moines is not just impressive—it’s vital to Iowa’s identity and future.
A Convergence of Purpose
Through conversations with Husain, Renner, and Gaesser, one message becomes clear: the World Food Prize isn’t just a prestigious award or annual event—it’s a global movement anchored in Iowa’s soil. Whether through visionary leadership, commodity innovation, or grassroots advocacy, these guests reveal how solutions to hunger and sustainability start at the intersection of collaboration, innovation, and local empowerment.