1 & 2. Maria-Rose Belding and Grant Nelson, United States
The MEANS (Matching Excess and Need for Stability) database, created by Maria Rose Belding and Grant Nelson, operates under the belief that it should be easy for those with excess food to share it with those in need. Working in 49 states, the MEANS database helps people and organizations donate excess food to food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and more. The organization’s team is almost entirely composed of youth working to change the current food system for the better.
3. Neil Deshmukh, India and United States
Neil Deshmukh spent his childhood summers in Maharashtra, India with his grandparents. There, Deshmukh noticed that farmers were spraying their fields with multiple pesticides because they could not identify the specific pest or disease attacking their crops. Deshmukh created Plantum AI, a mobile app that allows farmers to upload pictures of their crops, discover treatment options, and access other resources on crop management. Plantum AI has helped over 8,500 farmers in 23 villages care for and protect their fields from pests and diseases.
4. Edisona Franca, Kosovo
Edisona Franca, a 23-year-old agriculture student, is working for the Network of Organizations for Rural Development of Kosovo (NORDK). As part of NORDK, Franca is involved with multiple projects focused on gender equality and COVID-19’s affect on agriculture. Her work with NORDK combined with her own rural upbringing has inspired her to advocate for rural communities throughout Kosovo.