The winner of the Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA) was honored at a World Food Prize side event, and this year’s recipient — Marty Matlock — gave a well-received keynote address about The Promise of Prosperity from the Land in the 21st Century.
Matlock began by explaining how he was inspired by Dr. Norman Borlaug, and he paid tribute to his legacy by emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary efforts as we work to feed the world. With a focus on sustainability, Matlock explained that “prosperity is well-being — social connections are the key.”
To develop his central theme, he touched on several key ideas: Urgency to increase prosperity from the land, the face of agriculture is in the face of women, “land ethic” and the need to make farming accessible for younger generations, the importance of peri-urban ag systems and the nutritional challenge of feeding the growing population.
Matlock’s presentation demonstrated why he won this year’s award. He has the ability to synthesize interconnected topics and present them to diverse audiences. Recognized as a premier communicator and sustainability expert, he currently serves as the Executive Director of the University of Arkansas Resiliency Center.
