Lone Tree senior Maddie Altenhofen attended the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute, held from Oct. 9-22. Over 400 students and their teachers from 27 states and 10 countries attended the event, held virtually for the first time in its 26-year history.

Students attending the institute identify a country of interest and research a topic affecting the global food system, then propose an evidence-based solution to improve the lives of families living within the country. Altenhofen studied water scarcity in India. She presented her initial paper at the Iowa Youth Institute, held virtually in April, where she was selected to attend the global event.

Altenhofen studied the large amounts of water lost to pollution in India. She researched typical families in India and how they live — what food they eat, the resources they have, their careers and wages. Her focus was to find a solution to the scarcity of clean water that would be manageable for the people, as well as economically viable and affordable.

“Maddie determined one of the biggest factors that could help would be educating the people on the importance of clean water and the ways they could possibly utilize the water they currently have access to,” said Lone Tree vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Bridget Mahoney.

Attendees to the Global Youth Institute, which is hosted in conjunction with the Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium, were able to hear presentations researchers and non-profit leaders from around the globe, including former Vice President Al Gore and a keynote speech from King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan.

Participants also viewed the 2020 World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony honoring Dr. Rattan Lal of India and the United States. Lal was recognized for developing the implementing a soil-centric approach to increasing food production that restores and conserves natural resources and mitigates climate change. His research and work have impacted 500 million small holder farmers across four continents.

Because the event was held virtually, Altenhofen was able to select which workshops, speakers and events fit her schedule to attend. Her own presentation took place in the evening.

“This event helps Maddie, and any student who participates, with confidence, public speaking, research, inquiry and citizenship,” Mahoney said.

While Maddie hasn’t finalized her college plans yet, Mahoney said the skills she has gained through agriculture education will benefit her in any career path she chooses.

“It takes a lot of time commitment to prepare for an event such as the Global Youth Institute. The paper itself is a big task, and to be selected to go to the next level is a big honor,” Mahoney said. “I admire Maddie for stepping out of her comfort zone to take on this challenge. Even more so, doing it all on her own without any of her peers joining her — I think that speaks volumes about the kind of person Maddie is. She truly is an amazing student and individual.”