Michigan Soybean Grower Helps Lead World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Into 2nd Decade of Growth
March 22, 2010.... reprinted from Michigan Soybean News.....Michigan soybean grower Andy Welden of Jonesville recently participated in his first meeting as a member of the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) Program Committee. Welden was appointed by the American Soybean Association President Johnny Dodson earlier this year. He and his fellow farmer leaders from across the nation constitute the committee and provide strategic guidance to WISHH, which will mark its 10th anniversary in 2010.
A decade ago, U.S. soybean growers, through their qualified state soybean boards, formed an agreement with the American Soybean Association to launch WISHH. Their goal was to expand the use of soy for human health while creating markets for U.S. soy in developing countries. The potential for WISHH was made even more evident in early 2009 with the announcement that global food production must double by 2050 to head off mass hunger, according to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization.
"Through WISHH, U.S. soybean growers have forged strategic alliances with government agencies and soybean processors as well as private voluntary organizations that fight malnutrition," said WISHH Executive Director. "We are thankful for the continued leadership of farmers like Andy Welden as we move into our second decade of growth."
The Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee is a key partner in these efforts. Its support has aided WISHH in multiple soybean market development activities in rapidly growing countries such as Bangladesh. Like nearby India, Bangladesh has one of the highest protein energy malnutrition rates in the world. With their soybean checkoff funds, Michigan soybean farmers have also helped train food industry entrepreneurs from developing countries around the world on how to use U.S. soy protein in their products.
WISHH is headquartered at the American Soybean Association in St. Louis.
Contact:
Karen Edwards, WISHH, phone 703-281-7600,
email karen@kcegroup.com
