Representatives from U.S. soybean-farmer-led organizations joined their counterparts from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Canada to discuss the benefits of biotechnology with Chinese stakeholders during International Soy Grower’s Alliance (ISGA) mission trip to China. Representatives of U.S. Soy on the mission trip included Monte Peterson, U.S. soybean farmer from Valley City, North Dakota, Doug Winter, U.S. soybean farmer from Mill Shoals, Illinois, as well as U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) staff members.
Audio 1: USSEC CEO Jim Sutter talks importance of coming together with other countries for ISGA
During the mission trip, two film screening events for the documentary “Food Evolution” took place in Shanghai and Beijing as a way to promote scientific knowledge and understanding of genetically modified crop technologies. Using the public discussion over genetically modified foods as its entry point, “Food Evolution” looks at one of the most critical questions facing the world today – food security, and shows how easily fear and misinformation can overwhelm objective, evidence-based analysis.
Audio 2: Doug Winter discusses reception of “Food Evolution” at Shanghai and Beijing screenings
Co-organized by ISGA and Guokr, a popular science education media outlet in China, over 40 Guokr followers were selected and invited through Guokr’s social media platforms for the film screening in Shanghai. The Beijing screening was organized by the Alliance for Science Communications on Food and Nutrition (ASCFN), with ISGA as the key sponsor for the event. ASCFN is a coalition initiated by Chinese media, scholars and experts in food and nutrition to address the increasing public anxiety over issues in the area.
Audio 3: Monte Peterson shares what he’s learned from soy farmers from other countries
An official from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and several other renowned Chinese scholars in food, agriculture and communication sectors attended the Beijing event and also participated in roundtable discussions with ISGA members to address specific science questions and offer the audience insights from their first-hand experiences of how science communication can be made more effective in China. At both film screenings, young Chinese consumers had the opportunity to ask questions directly to U.S. Soy farmers, as well as soybean farmers from other ISGA countries.
Audio 4: Doug Winter explains how ISGA trip helps educate consumers abroad, combat misconceptions
