Press Release
Three Arkansas Delegates Attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute
DES MOINES, IA (October 2025) – Three Arkansas FFA members — Anna McClenny of Bentonville West, Lyndee Walker of County Line, and Sara Hinson of Bergman — recently represented the state at the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute (GYI) in Des Moines, Iowa. The trio joined top young scholars from around the world to address issues of global hunger and food insecurity.
Earlier this year, each delegate selected a country of their choice to research, identified a major food system challenge, and proposed a sustainable solution. After presenting their findings at the Arkansas Youth Institute in Fayetteville, they earned the opportunity to advance to the international level.
During the Global Youth Institute, McClenny, Walker, and Hinson attended sessions with world leaders including Valerie Guarnieri of the World Food Programme, José Andrés, humanitarian and chef, and Dr. Mariangela Hungria, the 2025 World Food Prize Laureate. Students participated in breakout workshops on climate-smart agriculture, small-scale farming, and food security, as well as the Innovate for Impact Awards Ceremony and Planting the Future: Empowering Youth for Global Change forum.
In addition to conference sessions, delegates toured several agricultural industry facilities and visited the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, gaining firsthand insight into the innovation, research, and global collaboration driving the future of food and agriculture.
Arkansas Delegate Reflections
Lyndee Walker, senior at County Line High School, described the Global Youth Institute as “exciting and informative.” Her favorite part was listening to José Andrés speak, noting, “The AYI and GYI have shown me how one person’s idea can impact millions, and this inspired me to make a change in all my future endeavors.”
Anna McClenny, a senior at Bentonville West High School, shared that hearing from José Andrés was the highlight of her experience. “It was unique to be a part of something so global,” she said. “It allowed me to see the positive impact I could make on communities as a livestock veterinarian.”
Sara Hinson, a senior at Bergman High School, said her favorite part was presenting her research to industry leaders who have made significant contributions to solving world hunger. She described the experience as “eye-opening and life-changing on a multitude of levels.” Reflecting on her work studying food systems in South Sudan, she shared, “That experience opened my eyes to the importance of understanding people before trying to fix their problems — a lesson I’ll carry with me as I pursue a degree in Agricultural Communications.”
About the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute
The Global Youth Institute, founded by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, brings together exceptional high school students from across the globe to explore solutions to world hunger, interact with international experts, and engage in hands-on learning about global agriculture and food security.
Photos of Arkansas delegates at the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute are included below.
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