Michigan State University’s Global Youth Advancement Network (MSU GYAN) is celebrating International Youth Day (IYD) 2021 on August 12 by highlighting MSU’s local and global initiatives related to this year’s theme: “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health.” According to the official IYD 2021 site, the success of this mandate depends on “the meaningful participation of young people,” a premise GYAN  advocates and actively promotes.

As a pioneer land grant institution, MSU has a long history of advancing cutting-edge research and outreach efforts that transform global food systems. In fact, the university is ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 4 globally for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) #2, “Zero Hunger,” a goal that closely aligns with IYD 2021’s theme.

In today’s world, agricultural initiatives are facing new challenges due to the global pandemic (see Infographic: No Hunger). GYAN is taking the opportunity of IYD 2021 to highlight MSU’s conributions to SDG #2.

Visit the links below to find out how you can tap into these local and global projects!

Local Initiatives

• The MSU Student Organic Farm offers farmer training, volunteer opportunities, and has an Online Produce Store for purchasing sustainable foods.
• The MSU Student Food Bank is the first food bank in the nation run by students for students and is celebrating its 28th year.
• Hoop Houses for Health is a collaboration between the Michigan Farmers Market Association, the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and the MSU Department of Horticulture, which provided zero interest loans for hoop houses that were paid back in produce instead of cash.
• At the annual MSU Agricultural Innovation Day, experts share innovative agricultural research and best practices with Michigan farmers.
• The MSU Product Center develops and commercializes high-value products and businesses in the food, agricultural and natural resource sectors.
• MSU Extension's educational offerings cover basic, startup information for beginning farmers interested in engaging in new agricultural enterprises.
• Michigan Fresh provides tips on growing, handling and preserving as well as healthy recipes to take advantage of the delicious Michigan-grown bounty from your backyard or your local farmer's market.
• Community Food Systems, operated through MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, offers a new way to think about how to effectively deal with local and regional food issues. Michigan State University Extension educators are trained in establishing and maintaining effective community food systems. 

Global Initiatives

• MSU’s GYAN leads the Young Innovators in Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development (YIELD) initiative supporting young agripreneurs in Ghana and Tanzania with funding from the  Alliance for African Partnership (AAP).
• The Global Center for Food Systems Innovation works on improving food systems in a world facing shrinking natural resources, changing climate, urbanization, and rapidly increasing demand with a special focus on Malawi and Afghanistan.
• The GYAN-lead Global Voices webinar discussing Food Security in a COVID-19 era convened young global professionals, MSU faculty, and community experts to discuss SDG #2.
• MSU’s Office for Education Abroad has hosted many trips for MSU students related to Sustainable Food, Environment and Social Systems. Due to the pandemic, these trips are currently suspended. Read about a student’s experience in Australia from 2019!

Happy International Youth Day!