Nearly 1 billion people in the world – 50 million in the United States alone – do not get enough food to eat each day. At the same time, U.S. land for agriculture is shrinking as American farmers are faced with growing regulations. These issues are inextricably linked, yet have a mutual solution: conservation agriculture.

"Harvesting the Potential: Farming to Feed the World" is an initiative to inform U.S. farmers about the impact sustainable agriculture practices can have in preserving agriculture's natural resources while also producing high-yield crops that can help feed the world now and into the future.

Launched by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, "Harvesting the Potential" aims to let farmers know that educational resources are available that can aid in the adoption of conservation-based production systems. All too often, farmers are hesitant to try something new for their operation like sustainable agriculture. "Harvesting the Potential" tells the stories of farmers and researchers who have seen first-hand the economic and environmental benefits of conservation-based production practices such as no-till, strip-till, cover crops and nutrient management.

Established in 1999, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation's primary mission is to improve the standard of living and quality of life for the world's most impoverished and marginalized populations. The Foundation's focus is on international programs that operate in challenging environments, including conflict and post-conflict countries. The Foundation has supported over 100 agricultural projects in 34 countries and 22 nutrition projects in 20 countries. The Foundation believes global food security efforts must include all countries – both rich and poor – therefore, the United States must consider its domestic agricultural practices and policies if we are to be successful in addressing hunger, malnutrition and global food security. For more information on the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, please visit www.thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org.

Howard G. Buffett is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Against Hunger on behalf of the World Food Programme. He has served on two Office of the U.S. Trade Representative committees; has served as Chairman of the Nebraska Ethanol Authority and Development Board; and has been recognized by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture as one of the most distinguished individuals in the field of agriculture. He currently serves on the Corporate Boards of the Coca-Cola Company, the largest beverage company in the world; Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., an investment holding company; Lindsay Corporation, a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of agricultural irrigation products; and Sloan Implement, a privately owned distributor of John Deere agricultural equipment. He previously served on the boards of Archer Daniels Midland, ConAgra Foods and Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. He has traveled to over 95 countries documenting agricultural practices and the human condition, with opinion pieces published in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and others. He has authored seven books.