Colorado Grow Youth Institute
Connecting Colorado Youth for a Hunger-Free World
About
The Colorado GROW Youth Institute at CSU Spur empowers high school students across the state to be hunger heroes. Connect with peers and leaders across the state to explore, research, and propose solutions to solve food insecurity and hunger at home and around the world.
Our 2025 Borlagu Scholars
Congratulations to the 2025 Borlaug Scholars and scholarship recipients! Stay tuned for 2026 Colorado GROW Youth Institute details.
Feed
By 2050, we’ll need to feed more than 9 billion people more efficiently and with fewer resources than we do now.
Grow
Scientists are learning more about technologies like agrivoltaics, drone imaging, greenhouses, and more to help farmers and producers grow food more efficiently.
Sustain
Veterinarians, climate scientists, and others are investigating how to make the meat we eat more sustainable and climate-friendly.
Support
Social scientists are examining how to ensure that policies and practices around the world support sustainable food systems.
Be A Hunger Hero
Go through the process of creating viable solutions to real world problems to help your local communities prosper and thrive while you grow your skills to become the very best you can be. From research to action, it’s in your hands.
Research and Write
- Work with a mentor – whether they’re a teacher, club leader, coach, advisor, or parent. They’ll help advise you through the process.
- Explore a country and unique food insecurity challenge in your global challenge research paper.
Propose a Solution
- Use critical thinking skills to consider and propose solutions – whether they’re small or large.
- Take action and consider what you can do to make this solution a reality.
Share With Others
- Build leadership skills by presenting your ideas and incorporating feedback.
- Learn from peers and experts about a variety of food insecurity challenges and solutions from around the world.
By Participating You Can:
Be Considered for a Scholarship
Top students who submit papers and participate in Colorado GROW Youth Institute Day at CSU Spur will be selected to receive scholarships to the CSU College of Agricultural Sciences.
Become a Borlaug Scholar
The World Food Prize Foundation awards students who complete the Colorado GROW Youth Institute as Borlaug Scholars, named after Dr. Norman Borlaug who founded the World Food Prize Foundation and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to food insecurity around the world.
Qualify to apply for Borlaug-Ruan international internships
Participants in the Colorado GROW Youth Institute are eligible to qualify for this unique internship opportunity to work with scientists and policymakers at research and development organizations around the world.
Qualify to apply for USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship
Participants of the Colorado GROW Youth Institute are eligible to apply for a paid fellowship opportunity with scientists and policymakers across the United States Department of Agriculture.
Be selected to attend the Global Youth Institute
Top students from each youth institute across the U.S. and around the world will be invited to be a delegate at the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa each October. During this three-day program, young leaders interact with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates and more than 1,000 global leaders from 65 countries. Learn more about Colorado student experiences.
Who We Are
Aryn Baxter
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION, INTERNATIONAL AG
Aryn’s work focuses on designing and evaluating programs that expand access to global learning opportunities, equipping students to understand and address global sustainability challenges, and supporting the professional and leadership development of educational leaders.
Rebecc Popara
PROGRAM MANAGER OF PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT, INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE
Rebecca Popara is the program manager of partnerships and engagement with the International Agriculture team at CSU Spur and the CSU System. She supports International Agriculture programs through partnership development, communications, and project management.
Rebecca received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Spanish, and International Studies with a Concentration in International Relations from Gonzaga University. She also holds a Master’s in Communication and Media Management from Colorado State University.
Our Collaborators
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Project and Paper
Are there resources available to help me write my paper?
Yes!
- CSU Libraries’ GROW Youth Institute research guide.
- Research paper instructions and samples, submission guidelines, and registration information.
- Find inspiration for your global challenge research by exploring the global challenges that CSU researchers, alumni, and faculty are making around the world on the CSU Impact map.
- Check out papers submitted by past Global Youth Institute participants (click on the year and then the student name to access example papers).
Do I need a mentor? Who can be a mentor?
Yes, mentors are required to participate in the GROW Youth Institute. Teachers, counselors, club leaders, advisors, parents, or other trusted adults make excellent mentors. Please reach out to the GROW coordinators if you need help finding a mentor.
Do I have to participate with my class or school?
No. If your school or class doesn’t offer participation in the Colorado GROW Youth Institute, you can participate as an individual. We require that you work with a mentor to help guide your research and help provide feedback on your project.
Can I work in a group to write my paper?
No. Research and papers should be worked on individually, with peers and mentors providing feedback or suggestions as appropriate. You will have the opportunity to share your research and proposed solution at Colorado GROW Youth Institute Day.
Check out the CSU Libraries’ GROW Youth Institute research guide as well as research paper instructions and samples, submission guidelines, and registration information from the World Food Prize Foundation for more information.
How do I submit my paper?
Papers must be submitted via the paper submission link on the World Food Prize Foundation webpage by the paper submission deadline. If you plan to attend, but you haven’t completed your paper yet, please make sure to register before spots fill up! Note that the deadline for paper submissions is two weeks after the GROW Youth Institute Day registration deadline.
How do I choose which country I want to focus on?
You can choose any country around the world. Consider if there’s a region you’re interested in, don’t know a lot about, or want to learn more about. Still stuck?
- Speak to friends and family and ask them what countries might interest them and why.
- Think about somewhere you’ve traveled, would like to travel, or a country where someone you know comes from – maybe even members of your own family!
- Find inspiration for your global challenge research by exploring the global challenges that CSU researchers, alumni, and faculty are making around the world on the CSU Impact map.
Can I focus on more than one country?
For the purposes of the Colorado GROW Youth Institute research paper, please focus on one country.
Do I need to include a family in my paper, and do I need to contact one?
Researching and incorporating an overview of a typical family experience in the country you have chosen is a required part of your research paper. You do not need to contact a specific family. However, if you have personal connections or relationships with a family, consider using this to help frame the importance of your research in your paper.
How do I cite and format the bibliography
Use MLA or APA citations for your paper. CSU Libraries has more information on citations and research resources.
How do I now if I've been accepted to the Colorado GROW Youth Institute?
All students who register and submit their papers by the deadline are invited to join for Colorado GROW Youth Institute Day. All participating students will also be recognized as a Borlaug Scholar and learn more about participation and applications to internship and fellowship opportunities. Only a small percentage will be selected based on the quality of their research paper and presentation to attend the Global Youth Institute as a Colorado delegate.
How do I know if I've been selected to go to Des Moines, Iowa for the Global Youth Institute?
Following the Colorado GROW Youth Institute, a panel of experts will review all research papers and roundtable presentation scores from the Colorado GROW Youth Institute. A small percentage of finalists will be invited to attend the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa.
Once I submit my paper, do I get feedback before presenting at the Colorado GROW Youth Institute?
Students will receive feedback on their papers and presentations from peers and roundtable experts at the GROW Youth Institute Day as well as from the World Food Prize Foundation Board of Reviewers following the event. Students are also encouraged to work with their mentors to incorporate edits and feedback before submitting.
I changed my mind, and I want to write my paper about a different topic or country. What do I do?
Please include the correct topic, country, and paper information with your final paper submission.
What is a roundtable, and how do they work?
Students will be placed in small groups with a handful of experts for a casual presentation and conversation of their research at Colorado GROW Youth Institute Day and at GROW Regional events. Each student will have a few minutes to summarize their research and proposed solution, followed by a few minutes of questions and conversation with the rest of the group. These are meant to be conversational and engaging sessions – take the opportunity to learn from your peers and ask questions! Presentation slides or visuals are not required.
Is there a dress code for the Colorado GROW Youth Insititute?
Students are encouraged to wear what they are comfortable in – casual school attire is acceptable. You are welcome to dress up if you would like to do so.
Mentor and Educator Requests
I've been asked to be a mentor to a student - what does that mean?
Mentors provide guidance and support to their mentees throughout the process of completing a global challenge research paper. Effective mentorship practices include learning about and sharing resources available to complete the global challenge research with your mentee, checking in regularly to address questions and encourage progress, and reaching out to the GROW Youth Institute Coordinator with any questions. Mentors are not required to be teachers – teachers, counselors, club leaders, advisors, parents, or other trusted adults make excellent mentors.
Do I have to attend the Colorado GROW youth insititute day event to be a mentor?
While mentors are not required to attend the GROW Youth Institute Day along with their student(s) they are encouraged to do so.
Only mentors who attend the Colorado GROW Youth Institute Day will be considered as potential chaperones to accompany the Colorado delegates to the Global Youth Institute event.
How do I become a mentor?
There are a variety of ways to become a mentor. In some cases, you might become a mentor by agreeing to support a student who approaches you with an interest in completing a global challenge research paper. If you are an educator in the formal education system (grades 9-12), you might wish to consider integrating the global challenge research paper into your curriculum as a class assignment or extra credit opportunity. Other mentors work with students outside of the classroom (in afterschool clubs, etc.) to support the global challenge research process.
Do I need to register as a mentor?
Yes. While registration is open, please make sure to register as a mentor or educator.
How can I stay involved following the Colorado GROW Youth Institute event?
Please ask the student(s) you are mentoring to include your name when they register to participate in the Colorado GROW Youth Institute Day. We will add all mentors included in the registration process to our mailing list to keep you updated on future events.
Additionally, you can sign up for our mailing list yourself.