Nuffield International Farming Scholars announces its newest Global Strategic Partner, Bayer. As a Global Strategic Partner, Bayer supports the work done by Nuffield International to develop the capacity of farmers around the world, including its eight member countries (Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe) and four associate countries (Brazil, Chile, Japan, and United States of America).
The partnership between Nuffield International and Bayer formalizes growing local connections already happening between the two organizations. As Nuffield Scholars travel the world for their research and participate in agricultural meetings and gatherings, they have often visited Bayer facilities and met with Bayer colleagues. This engagement at the global and local levels led to the Global Strategic Partner relationship and efforts to find ways for the organizations to work together to find and take advantage of opportunities for producers to provide thought leadership and advocacy for agriculture.
“From production innovation to thought leadership, Nuffield Scholars have the potential and experience to serve as a voice for farmers in conversations that touch on key contemporary issues such as the environment, sustainability, hunger, and community development,” noted Nuffield International board chair Kelvin Meadows, a 2011 Nuffield Scholar from Canada. “Through this partnership with Bayer, we can amplify the voice of Nuffield Scholars and the work they are doing to advance agriculture around the world.”
“A formal partnership between Bayer and Nuffield International acknowledges what has been happening at the regional and country levels for many years – opportunities to innovate, learn and advocate on behalf of global agriculture,” said Christi Dixon, Agriculture Engagement and Advocacy Manager with Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “As Bayer continues to shape the future of agriculture, we recognize that voices from the field matter. We are eager to work with Nuffield scholars around the world to highlight farmer perspectives in the global dialogue about the pressing challenges of our time, and to serve as a connection point for a group of agricultural leaders who have already demonstrated their tenacity and enthusiasm for continuous improvement.”
The investment by Bayer also contributes to two significant conferences hosted by Nuffield International, NI’s Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) and Triennial Conference, both of which bring together scholars from all types of agriculture. The CSC is the organization’s annual gathering of all selected Nuffield Scholars (typically up to 70 Scholars per year) and features workshops, field visits, and speakers designed to engage participants in discussions and debates about critical topics in agriculture around the world. The 2020 CSC will be held 14-20 March in Queensland, Australia. Once every three years the Nuffield network gathers for the organization’s Triennial Conference where they explore agriculture in the host country, exchange ideas, and spend one conference day delving into key challenges and opportunities facing agriculture. The 2020 Triennial runs 21-29 March in New Zealand.
With a focus on events and engagement in 2020, the Bayer partnership will also help provide broader awareness of the Nuffield International program by connecting individual scholars with opportunities to attend and participate in forums in their home countries and around the world.
For more information:
Nuffield International
nuffieldinternational.org