UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Three Penn State students, including two from the College of Agricultural Sciences, recently spoke about their global food security projects at a special meeting of the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council.
The meeting, which took place Feb. 16, focused on how agrifood systems can transform to continue boosting sustainability, food security and poverty reduction in the face of extreme weather events, economic shocks, food price inflation and other challenges.
The students were invited to give five-minute talks about the work they’re either doing or supporting through the Youth Food Lab North America at Penn State. Students included Auja Bywater, a dual title doctoral degree candidate in food science and international agriculture and development (INTAD), Paige Price, a dual-title doctoral student in rural sociology and INTAD, and Jashvinu Yeshwanth Raj, who is earning his master of business administration in the Smeal College of Business.
Maria Spencer, John and Patty Warehime Entrepreneur in Residence and director of the Youth Food Lab North America, said the meeting was a chance for the students to share the influential work they’ve been doing in the lab.
“One really meaningful outcome of the Youth Food Lab’s work this year was creating a pathway for three Penn State students to represent our university — and two of their own technologies — on the global stage,” Spencer said. “Their participation in the meeting reflects what’s possible when young innovators are resourced, supported and given access to United Nations policy forums where global thinking and policies are shaped.”
Bywater used her time to present a biotechnology innovation she's developing to help hydroponic farmers. She explained that while hydroponic farming — which allows food to be grown without soil — can increase food production and open new economic opportunities, it also requires farmers to manage a microscopic ecosystem.
Her technology is a simple, accessible device designed to hold dried beneficial bacteria that slowly rehydrates and releases into the system, helping to maintain a stable microbial environment that supports plant health and reduces the risk of contamination. Bywater said the opportunity was a humbling and empowering experience that she was grateful to experience.
“It reminded me how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such supportive and collaborative people here at Penn State,” she said. “I’m deeply grateful for that support and for the time others invest in helping me succeed. The experience also reinforced the responsibility I feel to translate my research into accessible tools that can meaningfully reach and benefit the communities who need them most.”
Raj used his time to discuss his business wrkFarm, which uses remote sensing technologies and artificial intelligence models to monitor crops and tell farmers what their plants need to thrive. He also shared the story of how wrkFarm helped a farmer in Maharashtra, India, identify how phosphorus drift was affecting her millet production, allowing her to fix the issue without wasting money on unnecessary fertilizers.
A highlight of attending the meeting, Raj said, was the opportunity to make connections he otherwise may not have made.
“One of the best parts was after the meeting when I got the chance to talk to the Thailand delegations,” Raj said. “Now, we’re forming partnerships with 150 Thai farmers to make an impact there, too. It is incredible to see the mission resonate on a global stage and see it turn into real action so quickly.”