For most of his adult life, he has been known to the world as Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, agronomist and humanitarian. Known as the father of the “green revolution“, Borlaug and his colleagues have spent decades advancing the war against hunger, fighting plant rust and diseases, and developing miracle grains--mostly corn and wheat--that have fed multitudes.

Norman Ernest Borlaug was born in 1915 near Cresco, Iowa. He was always a good student, an excellent athlete, and a hard worker. From an early age, Norman was interested in forestry and agriculture. He was from a poor farming family but his parents and his grandfather always encouraged Norman to continue his education. After he graduated from high school in 1932, Norman went on to earn a degree in forestry from the University of Minnes

Norman E. Borlaug received the Nobel Prize for Peace on December 10, 1970. Quoting Aase Lionaes, chairman of the peace prize committee, “Norman Borlaug is an indomitable man who fought rust and red tape … who, more than any other single man of our age, has provided bread for the hungry world, … and who has changed our perspective”.

(My mother, through her employer, has had the opportunity to meet Dr. Borlaug and frequently talks with him by phone. Today, Dr. Borlaug is a healthy and mentally-sharp 87 year-old, who, with an army of hunger fighters across the world, is still “on the job“ every day. His wife, Margaret, raised their two children but has lived a somewhat lonely life from their home in Houston, Texas. Regardless, she has always been Norman’s #1 supporter.)

Some topics in this essay:
University Minnesota, Rockefeller Foundation, Norman Borlaug, Aase Lionaes, Cresco Iowa, Dr Borlaug, Margaret Gibson, PhD Borlaug, America Asia, Mexico City, norman borlaug, dr borlaug, red tape,