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.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to the 2025 Borlaug Scholars and scholarship recipients! Stay tuned for 2026 Colorado GROW Youth Institute details.
By 2050, we’ll need to feed more than 9 billion people more efficiently and with fewer resources than we do now.
Scientists are learning more about technologies like agrivoltaics, drone imaging, greenhouses, and more to help farmers and producers grow food more efficiently.
Veterinarians, climate scientists, and others are investigating how to make the meat we eat more sustainable and climate-friendly.
Social scientists are examining how to ensure that policies and practices around the world support sustainable food systems.
How to be a hunger hero
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 in GROW, 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
Hosted at the Colorado State University System, the Colorado GROW Youth Institute is World Food Prize Foundation-affiliated.
The International Agriculture team coordinates the Colorado GROW Youth Institute. Reach out to Aryn Baxter or Rebecca Popara if you have any questions!
Frequently asked questions
Research project and paper questions
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For the purposes of the Colorado GROW Youth Institute research paper, please focus on one country.
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.
Use MLA or APA citations for your paper. CSU Libraries has more information on citations and research resources.
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.
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.
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.
Please include the correct topic, country, and paper information with your final paper submission.
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.
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 questions
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.
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.
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.
Yes. While registration is open, please make sure to register as a mentor or educator.
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.
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors and supporters
Hours
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
2nd Saturday of every month: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed all other Saturdays)
Closed Sundays
Location
4777 National Western Dr.,
Denver, CO 80216
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TONY FRANK
Chancellor, CSU System
Dr. Tony Frank is the Chancellor of the CSU System. He previously served for 11 years as the 14th president of CSU in Fort Collins. Dr. Frank earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Wartburg College, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. and residencies in pathology and toxicology at Purdue. Prior to his appointment as CSU’s president in 2008, he served as the University’s provost and executive vice president, vice president for research, chairman of the Pathology Department, and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He was appointed to a dual role as Chancellor in 2015 and became full-time System chancellor in July 2019.
Dr. Frank serves on a number of state and national boards, has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications, and has been honored with state and national awards for his leadership in higher education.
Dr. Frank and his wife, Dr. Patti Helper, have three daughters.
It’s our anniversary!
It’s our anniversary! CSU Spur has been fully open to the public, sharing hands-on, family-friendly activities around food, water, and health for two years. Join us on Saturday, Jan. 11, for 2nd Saturday activities, including desserts, a mariachi performance, face painters, horses on treadmills, veterinarians in surgery, scientists in labs, and more. The celebration is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and CSU Spur will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; no registration required, all public activities are free.
2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is presented by Canvas Credit Union.
JOCELYN HITTLE
Associate Vice President for CSU Spur, Colorado State University
Jocelyn Hittle is primarily focused on the CSU Spur campus at the National Western Center, and on supporting sustainability goals across CSU’s campuses. She sits on the Denver Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Council, on the Advisory Committee for the Coors Western Art Show, and is a technical advisor for the AASHE STARS program.
Prior to joining CSU, Jocelyn was the Associate Director of PlaceMatters, a national urban planning think tank, and worked for the Orton Family Foundation. She has a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton, and a Masters in Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Jocelyn grew up in Colorado and spends her free time in the mountains or exploring Denver.
We’ll see you Saturday!
2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday (April 12), and the theme is Health & Wellness! Miles, the Denver Broncos mascot, will be on campus from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. for photos and autographs. Other activities include making hummus, sampling food made from insects, watching an equine sports medicine demonstration, learning how to tie fly fishing flies, and more.