Today marks the 13th anniversary of the World Food Prize, bringing experts on food and agriculture from around the world to Des Moines in celebration of food industry progress and the efforts of those researching a better future for food.

Elizabeth Dole, Republican presidential candidate and World Food Prize Council of Advisors member, will be the keynote speaker for the event. Also in attendance will be 1970 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman E. Borlaug, World Food Prize Foundation Chairman John Ruan and former star of “The Phantom of the Opera” Davis Gaines.

The World Food Prize, referred to as the “Nobel Prize for food,” is the foremost international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the world’s food.

“The ceremony will honor the work of the 1999 Laureate, Dr. Walter Plowright, who is the first Laureate honored in the field of veterinary medicine,” said Rachel Adams of Essman/Associates, the advertising agency promoting the event.

Plowright’s discovery of the rinderpest vaccine is considered one of the most important victories in improving the safety and availability of food throughout the world. He will receive a $25,000 cash award in acknowledgment of his efforts.

Rinderpest, commonly known as cattle plague, was one of the deadliest animal diseases in recorded history. Plowright dedicated more than 20 years of research in developing the rinderpest vaccine.

For the past nine years, the ISU College of Agriculture has served as the secretariat for the World Food Prize. The college sends out letters to about 5,000 organizations, seeking nominations for the prize.

“Basically, we facilitate the selection process,” said Denise Bjelland, assistant director in international agriculture programs. “We receive and review the recommendations to make sure they meet the requirements.”

The college sends eligible nominations to an anonymous selections committee, which makes its recommendations to the World Food Prize Council of Advisors.

The World Food Prize was conceived 13 years ago by Borlaug, who won the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in world agriculture, according to a press release. Beyond recognizing personal contributions to a nutritious and sustainable food supply for all people, the prize was designed to establish role models.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hoyt Sherman Place, 15th and Woodland, in Des Moines.

Any students interested in attending the ceremony can contact Brian Myer at 294-0706 to make a reservation. Buses will be leaving today from ISU at 2:30 p.m.