Montana State University Hosts BIFAD Public Meeting

The university community discussed challenges of food security at the recent Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD) meeting hosted by APLU member Montana State University. BIFAD advises the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on ways universities can help the agency achieve its goals for agricultural development.

Tag Demment, APLU vice president for international programs, presented on building human capital in developing countries and Mark Varner, APLU senior counselor, presented on approaches to feeding the world. More than 15 people made presentations at the two-day conference, which included presentations made by tribal college presidents (pictured below with members of BIFAD).

BIFAD was established by Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act for the purpose of advising USAID on ways that universities, particularly the land-grant institutions, can help the agency achieve its goals for agricultural development, broadly defined. APLU received an award from USAID to provide management services for BIFAD. APLU serves as a vital link between USAID, BIFAD and the university community.

For more information on the meeting, visit Montana State University.