World Agricultural Forum

The World Agricultural Forum (WAF) is a St. Louis-based organization, which hosts World and Regional Congresses focused on the agricultural industry and related sectors. Leonard Guarraia founded it in 19971 to create a neutral forum for world agricultural leaders from both developed and developing economies to come together to better understand differing perspectives and needs and to focus on agriculture as a basis for economic development. It recently celebrated its 10th anniversary at the 2007 World Congress, in St. Louis.

General

The WAF provides a platform for dialogue between those who can impact agriculture, sustaining the lives and livelihood of the world’s population by meeting the growing needs for food, fuel and fiber. The WAF produces one of the largest biennial gatherings of leaders ready to implement innovation and positive changes addressing the world’s growing population and respective agriculture shortages in both developed and developing countries. 2

Forum participants gain insights about the implications for both global and regional industry players and the societies that they serve, attracting attention to the key drivers of innovation in agribusiness. 3 The WAF facilitates collaboration between each participant and their individual perspectives on the execution of goals established during Regional and World Congresses.

Vision

To empower agriculture so as to "feed" every man, woman, and child on earth. 4

Mission

To be a catalyst in developing action plans that meet the growing need for food, fiber, fuel, and water.5

Current Agricultural Issues

Agriculture is poised to change the world for the better. Sustainable agri-food systems can enhance environmental quality, satisfy human food and fiber needs, and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.6 Sound water resource management can increase economic stability and decrease civil unrest. Investments in bioenergy and access to agri-related technologies, particularly among small farmers, can spur economic growth globally while also fostering peace and security by minimizing dependence on oil.7 Fair trade policies can help regulate supply and demand, and encourage efficient distribution and production of agriculture worldwide. 8

Congresses

The WAF hosts both regional and world Congresses with the sole purpose of uniting leaders and decision-makers in non-governmental organizations, businesses, international associations, global foundations and academia to discuss problems facing developing nations, particularly hunger and poverty, and identify agricultural solutions enabling a sustainable agri-system capable of contributing to global economic development.

More than 400 world leaders from more than 30 nations gathered at the 2007 World Congress to focus on Creating Prosperity through Investments in Agriculture.9

Past World Congresses:
2005 - World Congress: "The Key to Peace, Security, and Growth: Local, Regional, AND Global"
2003 - World Congress: "A New Age in Agriculture: Working Together to Create the Future and Disable the Barriers"
2001 - World Congress: "A New Age in Agriculture: Feeding the World"
1999 - World Congress: "A New Age in Agriculture: It Is More Than Just Food"

The WAF also conducts regional Congresses that address emerging trends and key industry issues such as sustainable agriculture, fair trade policies and biotechnology. The next 2008 Regional Congress will take place in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2008. 10

Past Regional Congresses
2004 - Regional Congress: "The Future of the Agri-Food Systems: Perspectives from the Americas"

Partners & Sponsors

Partners

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Sponsors

Abengoa
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Anheuser Busch
Bunge North America
Cargill
John Deere
The Donald Danforth Plant Sciences Center
The Energy Future Coalition
Doane Agricultural Services
DuPont
Edward Jones Investments
Monsanto
Novus
Rockerfeller Foundation
St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association
Shell Foundation
US Soybean Export Council
Syngenta Global

Board of Directors

• Leonard J. Guarraia, Ph.D. Chairman & CEO
  • World Agricultural Forum

• Mr. David Friedman , Chief Financial Officer -WAF
  • Novus International, Inc.

• Mr. Bruce B. Adaire, Chairman Emeritus
  • World Trade Center, St. Louis

• Mr. Joaquin Alarcon, Vice President, Business Development
  • Abengoa Bioenergia Corporation

• Mr. Melvern Anderson, Retired - President Busch Agriculture Resources
  • Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

• Mr. John W. Bachman, Managing Principal
  • Edward Jones

• Mr. Richard C.D. Fleming, President and CEO
  • St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association

• Ms. Deborah C. Grossman, Commercial Acceptance
  • Monsanto Company

• Mr. Earle H. Harbison, Jr., Chairman
  • Harbison Corporation

• Mr. Lynn O. Henderson, President & CEO
  • Henderson Communications, LLC

• Mr. David Kabbes, Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel
  • Bunge North America, Inc.

• Seung H. Kim, Ph.D., Vice Chairman, Asia - WAF Director,Boeing Institute of International Business''''
  • Saint Louis University

• Mr. Donald W. Kloth, Ph.D., Retired - Vice President & Group Executive
  • Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

• Mr. Jerome F. Lamm, Retired - Executive Director, Corporate Transportation
  • Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

• Mr. Aloys H. Litteken, Retired - Vice President, Corporate Engineering, Construction & Environmental Affairs
  • Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

• Mr. Steve Malin, President Busch Agriculture Resources
  • Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

• Mr. Richard A. McWard, Retired - Vice President, Corporate Industry Affairs
  • Bunge North America, Inc.

• Mr. Ken P. Morrison, Managing Director
  • Doane Advisory Services

• Peter H. Raven, Ph.D., Director
  • Missouri Botanical Garden

• Mr. Kenneth C. Schneeberger
  • Illinois-Missouri Biotechnology Alliance

• Mr. Lawrence J. Shine, Retired - Executive Director, Procurement Process
  • Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

• Mr. Thad W. Simons, Jr., President & CEO
  • Novus International, Inc.

• Mr. Charles R. Stamp, Jr., Vice President, Public Affairs Worldwide
  • Deere & Company

References

[1] “Planting the Seeds…” St. Louis Commerce Magazine, 10/99, http://www.niduscenter.com/m_arts_html/stlcomm.html
[2], [3], [7], [10] World Agricultural Forum official site, About Us, http://www.worldagforum.org/index.php?section=7 (accessed 9/11/07)
[4], [5] World Agricultural Forum official site, Vision, Mission, & Strategies, http://www.worldagforum.org/index.php?section=118 (accessed 9/11/07)
[6] Gold, Mary. 1999. Sustainable Agriculture: Definitions and Terms. Special Reference Briefs Series no. SRB 99-02 Updates SRB 94-05 September 1999. National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/srb9902.htm
[8] Hayes, Mark and Moore, G. 2005. The Economics of Fair Trade:a guide in plain English, http://www.udbs.dur.ac.uk/fairtraderesearch/The%20Economics%20of%20Fair%20Trade%20plain%20guide.pdf
[9] Burstein, Laurie. 05/07. “Agriculture Leaders Gather in St. Louis for 2007 World Congress.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

External links

The Official World Agricultural Forum site: www.worldagforum.org