Wellesley Resident To Represent U.S. At Global Agriculture Summit

WELLESLEY, MA – A Wellesley resident is one of five millennials to represent the United States at the third Youth Ag-Summit in Brussels this fall. Julie Greenwald is part of a delegation of 100 people from 49 countries selected for a think tank focused on addressing the global food security challenge. The summit will take place October 9-13.

Themed "Feeding a Hungry Planet," this year's summit aims to address the U.N. Sustainable Develeopment Goals of ending hunger, achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. It is the third summit that Bayer has offered to youth around the world.

"I believe that nutritional, sustainably-produced food should be an unalienable right for all members of the global community," Greenwald said in a statement. "Food insecurity is a local and, of course, a global issue which can only be truly resolved through global cooperation. In terms of environmental and social justice issues, now is a time when indifference is not good enough; inaction is irresponsible. I am hungry for change and for a better world. This type of hunger will not be satiated until no one is hungry."

The 20-year-old is pursuing a double major in environmental studies and cultural studies, with a minor in peace and justice, from Villanova University. She has earned a 3.94 GPA, was on the Dean's list for three consecutive terms and has raised more than $30,000 for the school.

Greenwald spent five weeks living and working on organic farms in three Belgian cities this past summer. Her career aspirations in agriculture are guided by her belief that food security is a basic human right, which has inspired her to pursue solutions to one of the most complex international problems today.

In addition to Greenwald, the delegates representing the United States are Ben Carson from Plant City, FL; Emily Buck, from Gallatin, TN; Noah Hamlish from Chicago, IL; and Anna Gomes from Ferndale, CA.

The delegates will undertake group projects and participate in industry tours, as well as learn from guest speakers. They have been tasked with coming up with concrete new ideas to drive agricultural progress around the world and back home.

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