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h A Farmer’sh Fight

When A&M professor Dr. Norman Borlaug first set out to battle in the world, the world doubted his chances. Decades later, many of the hungry have been fed, the skeptics are silenced, the planet is thankful … and Borlaug? He’s still battling. By David Ferrell ’02

32 Texas Aggie | January/February 2008 aggienetwork.com Dr. Norman Borlaug displays some of the many awards he has received for his life’s work, including, in his left hand, the 1970 . aggienetwork.com January/February 2008 | Texas Aggie 33 A Farmer’s Fight h h

Texas A&M established the Norman Borlaug Institute

for International Agriculture in the fall of 2006. Housed h on the eastern edge of campus,h the organization hopes to emerge as a worldwide leader of agricultural development through teaching and scientific initiatives.

So what? Institutions often at- claimed 160 million lives over the course that he has garnered over the years. tach lofty mission statements to new of 100 years, and there was no reason to He has also been presented with the programs. Such declarations sound expect anything to curb that statistic. two highest civilian honors bestowed good in theory, but they don’t really But then this hard-working farmer by the U.S. government—earning the guarantee an ability to do anything as from the heartland began leading a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 quixotic as change the world—espe- slow yet steady global crusade against and the Congressional Gold Medal last cially through a discipline as humble food shortage. Amazingly, after years of year. Borlaug is just the fifth person as agriculture. balancing relentless experiments with in history to collect all three of those But this isn’t empty rhetoric. And it gentle diplomacy, something incredible awards. You might have heard of isn’t about glamour. The people behind happened—people began eating again. the others: Martin Luther King, Jr.; this endeavor have a seriousness that Borlaug and his team created a new ; ; and matches their commitment. More im- method for breeding high-yielding . portant, they have a legitimate capability varieties that stood up to , As Dr. Elsa Murano, A&M System vice to meet their goals and impact the hu- climate variations and other factors, chancellor and dean of agriculture and man race. After all, the institute’s name- making it possible to grow the crop in life sciences, will attest, it’s difficult to sake has quietly made that a personal developing countries that, until that assess her colleague’s life and fully ex- habit of his for more than 60 years. time, had been unable to adequately do plain what it’s meant to human history. If, by chance, you are not familiar with so on their own. “Scientist, teacher, humanitarian, Dr. Norman Borlaug, you are sadly not The wheat first appeared in , Nobel laureate, Father of the Green alone. For some reason, aging scientists then in Asia and eventually in Africa. Revolution—these terms describe Dr. don’t register easily within our cultural That genetically engineered wheat is Norman Borlaug,” said Murano. “How- conscience, no matter how influen- now widely credited with saving more ever, these words can’t begin to capture tial they are. And in terms of positive than a billion lives—greater than one out the magnitude of his accomplishments influence, there are few individuals in of every seven people alive today. The and impact globally.” the history of mankind who have been movement was dubbed the Green Revo- Borlaug, however, isn’t too concerned greater. Norman Borlaug is no doubt a lution, and Borlaug was championed as with reflecting on past success or defin- legendary name, even if it isn’t a house- its “father.” ing his legacy. There simply seems to be hold one. So while mainstream America might no time for him to rest on his laurels— His career took root in the earth’s shrug at the mention of Borlaug’s name, not with so much left to do. most unforgiving terrain, worlds away knowing citizens are quite familiar with As he excitedly indicates from the from America’s amber waves of grain. the meaning that it carries. As wide- living room of his home in a quiet north When Borlaug’s work began taking spread fame eludes him, recognition has neighborhood, there is still a shape in the mid-1940s, the planet’s been justifiably dramatic. great deal to fight for. And at age 93, he population was reeling under the cruel He won the Nobel Peace Prize in continues to lead the way, carrying the forces of . Starvation had already 1970, just one of countless accolades torch he picked up long ago. >>

“Scientist, teacher, humanitarian, Nobel laureate, Father of the ... However, these words can’t begin to capture the magnitude of his accomplishments and impact globally.” h h

34 Texas Aggie | January/February 2008 aggienetwork.com Above and Above Left: Borlaug has taught one semester at Texas A&M every year since 1984 as the university’s Distinguished Professor of International Agriculture. LEFT: In recent years, Borlaug has worked to end in Africa by implementing his proven agricultural technology there.

aggienetwork.com January/February 2008 | Texas Aggie 35 Planting the Seeds the individual seasons. had scarcely traveled more than a few Norman Ernest Borlaug was born to But in addition to witnessing the natu- miles away from his rural upbringing. Norwegian-American parents in the ral beauty of an agricultural life, Borlaug Yet that environment was all he needed spring of 1914. Raised on a small farm was also forced to experience the dark to discover his destiny. in northeast , Borlaug grew up social and economic realities that Borlaug learned the value of educa- intrigued by the ways in which nature plagued it during the Great Depression. tion early on in his town’s one-room could affect everyday life. Borlaug—a teenager by that point—saw schoolhouse. In addition to being “The biological world, as it impinged local banks crumble, farmers lose their exposed to the foundations of , on agricultural production and farming land and markets fail under the strain of attending school in that place and time methods, just seemed interesting to me,” those difficult times. instilled in him an appreciation for com- said Borlaug. As Borlaug puts it simply, “I saw the munity and cooperative behavior. He keenly watched as animals would plight of the farm people in that part It was during school that he also de- hibernate or fly south for the winter of Iowa.” veloped a passion for something else and, ultimately, return in the spring. He For him, that part of Iowa was all he that now seems slightly ironic for a saw firsthand how to plant, grow and knew. The man who would eventually Nobel Peace Prize winner—wrestling. harvest crops. And he marveled at the leave a green thumbprint on the rest of He loved the sport, and he still credits distinct differences between each of the world was, at that time, a boy who it for teaching him to always give his

36 Texas Aggie | January/February 2008 aggienetwork.com A Farmer’s Fight

As he pursued a bachelor’s degree country’s population. Borlaug quickly in , Borlaug worked at a coffee realized that such a drastic situation shop and made money parking cars on would require bold action. campus. His big break came during the He wanted to apply progressive summers, though, when he got a job as scientific methods to the problem, but a ranger with the U.S. Forest Service— his new ideas faced uncertain resistance. something he truly enjoyed and planned After all, he was a hotshot American to pursue full-time after graduation, who had no direct experience with the until fate changed those plans. Mexican struggle and who didn’t even As he approached graduation, Borlaug speak the language. learned that, due to financial con- Eventually, though, his commitment straints, there would be no job available and work ethic convinced others to buy in the Forest Service for a few months. into his methods. It took several years While he waited, Borlaug figured he and countless experiments, but by the would attend some extra classes on the mid-1950s, Mexico had tripled its pro- campus, including a lec- duction by growing a new, high-yielding ture by Dr. Elvin Stakman, head of the wheat variety that could resist disease school’s plant department. and breaking. By all accounts, it was a The lecture focused on a that magnificent success. attacked several varieties of plants and But Borlaug was far from finished. trees. While that likely wouldn’t capture He next looked to take his discovery most people’s interest, Borlaug was to an Asian continent that was rapidly entranced by the subject matter. succumbing to the effects of poverty. Stakman spoke dramatically about To make his concept globally viable, the potential for science to “eradicate Borlaug began teaching agricultural the miseries of hunger and starvation scientists from around the world how from this earth.” Borlaug instantly to implement his practices. Borlaug made the decision. He abandoned the enjoyed instructing young students who plan for the Forest Service and instead were unexposed to institutional bureau- enrolled in Minnesota’s graduate pro- cracies and open to new ideas. gram for . “We’re going to teach you to be reb- It would prove to be a critical turn- els,” he would tell them on the first day Borlaug stands beside President ing point, both for Borlaug and for the of training. “Not with guns and daggers, George W. Bush and Speaker of entire world. but with science and technology.” the House as he is Borlaug and his associates needed honored with the Congressional Against the Grain that rebellious spirit to have any hope of Gold Medal—America’s highest civilian honor—on July 17, 2007. In 1942, after earning both a mas- success in Asia. It was difficult enough ter’s degree and a doctorate, Borlaug to gain momentum with wheat produc- worked briefly for the DuPont de tion in Mexico, but the nations of best, regardless of any obstacle, op- Nemours Foundation before being and posed an even greater ponent or situation. recruited to oversee a slow-moving challenge. The two feuding countries Borlaug decided quickly that he want- project in rural Mexico. were facing tragic deficits in food supply ed to be a high school science teacher The Mexican government and the and had a tremendous cultural aver- and athletic coach. College was the next were attempt- sion to emerging western technologies. logical step, but in those days, tuition ing to aid the struggling wheat farmers Many observers considered any effort to was not easy to pay for. Borlaug would of the nation—something that was easier restore wheat production there to be a earn his education, working for 50 cents said than done. At that point, disease lost cause. a day as a farm hand, prior to enrolling prevented farmers from raising even Borlaug maintained faith in his at the . half of the wheat required to feed the techniques, however, and he worked >>

“We’re going to teach you to be rebels,” Borlaug would tell students on the first day of training. “Not with guns and daggers, but with science and technology.” h h aggienetwork.com January/February 2008 | Texas Aggie 37 diligently with the two governments to Pakistan and the fruits of his labor President George W. Bush secure their faith as well. The results were sparking change. The world’s shares a laugh with Borlaug after presenting him with the National were staggering. Wheat production experts agreed and moved to honor Medal of Science on Feb. 13, nearly doubled in both India and Pakistan Borlaug accordingly. 2006, in the White House. during the late 1960s, and Borlaug’s inno- On Oct. 20, 1970, a gentleman from vations were quickly introduced through- Borlaug’s ancestral home of Norway out the and North Africa. called the agricultural scientist’s resi- The events led William Gaud, then dence in at 4 a.m. to deliver director of the Agency for some news. Borlaug, of course, wasn’t International Development, to famously home. By that time, he was already out coin a phrase in 1968 that described working in the fields, 40 miles away what was unfolding. from the city. “These and other developments in the His wife, Margaret, received the call field of agriculture contain the makings and immediately darted out to relay the of a new revolution,” said Gaud. “It is information—that he had been selected not a violent Red Revolution like that of to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Upon the Soviets, nor is it a White Revolution hearing this, Borlaug flatly told his wife like that of the Shah of Iran. I call it the that there must have been some sort of Green Revolution.” mistake or that she had misunderstood. Borlaug maintains that it was this He retreated to the fields without giving point in his career that he considers it another thought. It wasn’t until local his proudest moment—when increased reporters arrived shortly thereafter that production was apparent in India and things began to sink in.

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Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize agreed to come to College Station, based in Borlaug is a man accustomed to re- was, as expected, a pivotal moment in large part on his fondness for the atmo- ceiving recognition for his work, but this Borlaug’s career—one that would define sphere there. time, he says, he felt especially moved. his work forever. When asked how his “The Spirit of Aggieland is something “This one has special meaning,” Bor- life has changed since that day, Borlaug that I enjoy,” says Borlaug. “It starts with laug says. “I have more than 50 honorary of course expresses gratitude and pride. the first word—howdy. And it’s embod- doctorates, but this one in Aggieland But then his emotions take a turn. ied by the people you see on campus.” has special significance. I hope it is an “It’s been miserable,” he jokes, be- He joined the faculty in 1984, and expression that I’ve had something of fore emphasizing how the award has he has taught one semester every year value to pass on to the students.” instilled a responsibility in him to move since that time. He started out giving It is doubtful that anyone would dis- ahead. “I have to do a lot of important graduate students a sweeping view of agree with that. In addition to imparting things that need to be done for the con- agricultural development but quickly the wisdom gained from years of scientif- tinuation of rapid change in agriculture settled into special lecture series re- ic exploration, Borlaug is eager to share and food production. garding food and conservation. the life lessons he’s learned. He stresses “In a country such as ours, where less Teaching is what he always intended the importance of simple tenets, such as than 1.5 percent of the total population to do, even as a teenager in Iowa. In the to always do your best. And he emphasiz- is out there producing the food that we midst of his distinguished career, teach- es that in taking on any great challenge, it need—along with being the largest ex- ing was always his favorite endeavor. is important to think creatively and have porter in the international market—it’s And students at Texas A&M have ben- good people on your side. important to use your knowledge and efitted greatly from that passion. “If I’ve done something it’s been as a experience to try to influence the well- “Dr. Borlaug is very intelligent, and he leader of a team. I couldn’t have done being of the people of the world.” prides himself as a teacher of young peo- anything alone,” says Borlaug. “There That sentiment led Borlaug to Texas ple who are less rigid in their approach are, I suppose, thousands of students A&M, where his knowledge and experi- to science and technology adoption,” from many different countries who par- ence have indeed continued to influence says Dr. Ed Runge, senior advisor of ticipated in developing information and new generations of students. the Borlaug Institute. “He is a problem data. My students passed this on and solver and has had more influence on made it an ongoing thing.” The World’s Teacher agriculture than anyone who has ever And Borlaug will quickly tell you that After decades of living in the Third lived, in my opinion.” his fight is certainly ongoing. It has to be, World, Borlaug and his wife were ready “It influences anyone to be around for the sake of the world. While the level to move on. In 1983, Borlaug wrapped him,” says Dr. David Baltensperger, head of hunger has dropped precipitously up his work with the Rockefeller Foun- of the department of soil and crop sci- since the dawn of his innovations, there dation and moved from Mexico. They ences. “His energy and enthusiasm for are still hundreds of millions of starv-

“I have more than 50 honorary doctorates, but this one in Aggieland has special significance. I hope it is an expression that I’ve had something of value to pass on to the students.” relocated to Dallas, where their children solving the problems of the hungry is ing people on the planet today. Borlaug were living. remarkable. It is also contagious, and he simply won’t rest until that is changed. Around that same time, Texas A&M inspires you to think about what you can “If people in affluent nations want to University President Frank Vandiver do to solve the problem.” hope for tranquility and peace for their indicated an interest in bringing a Nobel Texas A&M is very aware of the children and grandchildren, it won’t be laureate to the faculty. As a school that has special presence that Borlaug has, just based on human misery, poverty, hun- always embraced its agricultural roots, it as it is thankful for the impact he’s had ger, lack of education or lack of medical seemed only fitting to target Borlaug. on countless numbers of the school’s service,” he says. “Unless those things Administrators first approached students. In December, the university are provided, there’s no hope for peace Borlaug at a conference in his native presented Borlaug with an honorary for future generations. state of Iowa, but ongoing commitments doctorate in recognition of his efforts. “My belief is that in any game, you’ve prevented him accepting an offer from Texas A&M is not in the practice of got to go in with a will to win and not Texas A&M at that time. Undeterred, they awarding such degrees to sitting faculty with defeatism. And so it is with the approached him again shortly thereafter members, but an exception was made in biggest and most important game of all— at a meeting in West Texas. This time, he Borlaug’s case. the game of life.” aggienetwork.com January/February 2008 | Texas Aggie 39