The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was invited to celebrate the life and legacy of Norman Borlaug at the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest in Cresco this week.

Borlaug grew up on a farm about 12 miles southwest of Cresco and has been named the father of the Green Revolution for his work in agriculture and fighting hunger.

This year’s festival was planned, before Borlaug’s death, to take place Sept. 12, which is Borlaug’s birthday. He would have been 95

“It’s kind of changed the dynamic a little bit.” said Randy Mashek, director of the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our original intent was really to pay tribute to Dr. Borlaug’s achievements and his legacy, and now that he’s passed it’s really going to be a very nice tribute to him.”

Mashek, an ISU alumnus, said the message of the entire festival will be about doing big things, despite where one comes from.

“We really can change the world, even coming from a small town in Iowa, so I think Iowa State can help spread that message,” he said.

Wendy Wintersteen, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said the invitation to be a part of the Harvest Fest came from the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation.

“For two years we’ve been able to have student interns working up at the family farm, working with the community,” Wintersteen said.

The students have interned at Borlaug’s boyhood farm.

On Friday, Wintersteen said she will teach approximately 240 fifth-grade students about entomology. David Acker, associate dean of global agriculture programs, will talk about Borlaug’s life and legacy. Thomas Brumm, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, will explain biodiesel, and Brad Miller, program coordinator in agronomy, will talk about what it means to be an agronomist and study the soil management and the production of field crops.