The College of Agriculture is proving to be the cream of the crop as it makes a global impact on seed science.

The college has signed an agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to join efforts to fight hunger in developing countries. The FAO approached Iowa State about two years ago, after noticing researchers’ seed science work abroad.

An agreement was finalized after Catherine Woteki, dean of the College of Agriculture, and David Acker, associate dean of the College of Agriculture, traveled to FAO headquarters in Rome to meet with department leaders in areas like nutrition and forestry in August 2004.

“We wanted to expand the scope of the agreement so that [Iowa State] and FAO can work together,” said Acker, who also served in the Ministry of Agriculture in Tanzania. “It gives Iowa State an opportunity to operate internationally and have greater access to top leaders.”

ISU researchers are combining their research, testing and international programs with the FAO in an effort to bring information to underdeveloped countries. This would potentially help them improve agriculture and ensure good nutrition for all.

“The agreement provides opportunity for the faculty to provide expert advice and the FAO to reach out and frame questions they need help with,” said Woteki, who worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and represented the United States in the United Nation’s Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Possible areas of collaboration are harmonization of seed policies and regulations, training to strengthen modern seed technology and facilitate seed exchange, and quality assurance, according to a memo between the FAO and Iowa State.

“Seed is the foundation of modern agriculture. If we can harmonize seed policy and regulations, ultimately the farmer will benefit,” said Manjit Misra, director of the Seed Science Center. “Whether it’s farmers in east Iowa or in east Africa, if they don’t have good seeds, they can’t plant good crops.”

Misra said she thinks the agreement will also promote Iowa State.

“It will benefit [Iowa State] by increasing our scientific leadership role and enhancing our visibility and reputation in seed production,” she said.

“It will also benefit Iowa companies in the area of seed production by getting their seed to other countries.”

Iowa State is now conducting a project in southern Africa that provides training for seed company managers and research studies for policy makers.

The Seed Science Center has also conducted programs in more than 50 countries during the past 10 years, including faculty and student exchanges with universities in Korea and China.

“The ISU seed center is number one in the country and one of the best in the world. It is definitely a well-kept secret,” Acker said.