Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, Amy Holman, is set to visit Des Moines, Iowa from October 29 to November 1. Her visit includes attending the World Food Prize Foundation’s Borlaug Dialogue and the World Food Prize Laureate Ceremony. During this event, she will reaffirm the Department's commitment to global food security and emphasize the importance of U.S. businesses in fostering innovation for world food security.

While in Iowa, Holman plans to engage with leaders from the U.S. agriculture industry regarding advancements in agricultural technology. Meetings are scheduled with Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, concerning Africa's food security needs; Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, about Iowa’s agricultural sector; and Zulfikar Mustapha, Guyana Secretary of Agriculture. Additionally, she will lead a panel discussion focused on women’s access to agricultural technology as part of an initiative supporting the 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.

On October 31, Holman will meet with representatives from the Global Youth Institute and the Greater Des Moines Business Partnership before participating in the 2024 World Food Prize Laureate’s Award Ceremony. She also intends to hold meetings with officials from the World Food Prize Foundation.

For further information or media inquiries regarding Acting Assistant Secretary Holman's travel itinerary or engagements in Iowa, interested parties can reach out via eb-press-inquiry@state.gov.