On March 21, Cornell CALS hosted 71 high school students from across New York State for the annual New York Youth Institute (NYYI) of the World Food Prize Foundation.
The NYYI invites New York high schoolers to research, pitch, and evaluate solutions for global food insecurity. After crafting three- to five-page research papers on various global challenges, students transform their academic writing into three-minute lightning talks.
Students presented these research summaries in small groups of peers and field experts. Roundtable experts included esteemed faculty, staff, and visiting fellows across multiple CALS departments. While these volunteers evaluated students for potential selection to the Global Youth Institute, their primary role was to foster thoughtful, constructive dialogue.
Discussing caveats and comparisons across topics, geographies, and interventions proved to be the theme of the day. In the afternoon, students broke into smaller groups to explore different facets of food security through a series of interactive campus tours. Students interacted with insects in the Rayor and McArt labs, explored aquaponics at the Kenneth Post Lab greenhouses, investigated plant genomics with the Boyce Thompson Institute, and engaged with novel crop science robots in the Gore and Organic Robotics labs (organized by CROPPS, the Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems). Of course, no visit would be complete without petting the lambs at the Teaching Barn.
“Serving as a Roundtable Expert Panelist at the New York Youth Institute was both inspiring and energizing,” said Dr. Diana Onyango, a Cornell Fulbright Humphrey Fellow from Kenya. “Hearing students pitch creative, well-researched solutions tailored to countries around the world reassured me that the future of sustainable agriculture is in thoughtful, capable hands. I valued the chance to mentor, challenge, and champion these young thinkers as they refined their ideas and deepened their global awareness.”
While the day focused on food systems development, students also participated in workshops geared toward general college and career readiness. The event opened with a keynote workshop led by Grace Campidilli, CALS ’22 and Data Engineer at John Deere, titled “Adapting to Change: Balancing Technology and Humanity in Food and Agriculture.” Campidilli shared practical tools for perspective-taking and collaboration—skills essential for thriving in both academic and professional environments.
Later, a session hosted by Anna Cummings, Assistant Director of Admissions and Communications Lead for CALS Admissions, offered students a roadmap for navigating college applications and decision-making. A panel of CALS Ambassadors shared their personal tips and reflections on applying to Cornell and other institutions.
Rebecca Picard, Director of Global Youth Programs & Partnerships at the World Food Prize Foundation, introduced students to the unique internship and leadership opportunities available through the organization. Participants in a World Food Prize Youth Institute may go on to study food security with one of 36 partner research institutes, earn an internship with the USDA through the Wallace Carver Fellowship, or—more immediately—be selected to attend the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa, where young leaders engage directly with global experts in food and agriculture.
The students currently await the Global Youth Institute selections. Regardless of whether or not a student progresses in the World Food Prize youth programs, the NYYI marked an opportunity to engage in research, dialogue, and dreams—for a more flourishing globe, and for their role within it. The day was coordinated by Polly Endreny Holmberg, State Coordinator of the NY Youth Institute and Associate Director of the Humphrey Fellows Program at Cornell. She is grateful for the support of numerous faculty, staff, and student volunteers, whose contributions ensured a successful and engaging event.
