President Emeritus, World Food Prize Foundation | Former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia
Presented October 22, 2025 · Des Moines, Iowa · World Food Prize Events
Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn is the former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and President Emeritus of the World Food Prize Foundation. Across nearly six decades of service spanning diplomacy, agricultural development, and international leadership, he has embodied the principle that agricultural science and technology can be a pathway to peace.
His career began in 1968 with his first Foreign Service assignment: introducing IR8 “miracle rice” in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam during the Green Revolution. From there, he went on to serve in some of the most consequential roles at the intersection of diplomacy, security, and global food policy — becoming one of the most decorated U.S. Foreign Service officers of his generation.
As President of the World Food Prize Foundation, Quinn built the institution into a globally recognized platform for honoring achievement in food and agriculture, expanding the Laureate Award Ceremony, growing the Borlaug Dialogue into a major international convening, and launching the Global Youth Institute to engage the next generation of agricultural leaders.
"Having escorted Dr. Norman Borlaug to a CAST event 25 years ago, I know first-hand the deep respect and admiration he had for the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology… From my very first Foreign Service assignment introducing IR8 'miracle rice' in the Mekong Delta in 1968, to my leadership of the World Food Prize Foundation, agricultural science and technology have been the constant thread in my work. This award affirms the theme that has guided my life: peace through agricultural science and technology."
A fluent Vietnamese speaker, Quinn also served on the National Security Council staff, as Narcotics Counselor at the U.S. mission to the UN in Vienna, and as Chair of the U.S. Inter-Agency Task Force on POW/MIAs. He interpreted Vietnamese for President Gerald Ford, negotiated the first U.S. entry into a Vietnamese prison to search for POW/MIAs, and was among the first to document (1974) the genocidal policies of the Khmer Rouge.
He and his wife, Le Son, have three adult children. He holds a B.A. from Loras College, an M.A. from Marquette University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland.
CAST hosted the inaugural CAST Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony as an official side event of World Food Prize week in Des Moines, Iowa. The breakfast event brought together global leaders, scientists, diplomats, and distinguished guests to celebrate a lifetime dedicated to advancing peace and progress through agricultural science.
CAST CEO Dr. Chris Boomsma reflected on the significance of the occasion, noting that just as the World Food Prize represents the pinnacle of global recognition in food and agriculture, CAST’s award honors individuals whose lifelong efforts have advanced agricultural science and communication.
Dr. Jack Bobo, Executive Director of the Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies at UCLA and recipient of the 2024 Borlaug CAST Communication Award, shared heartfelt reflections on his personal and professional ties with Ambassador Quinn, becoming visibly emotional as he recalled their shared commitment to science diplomacy and global collaboration.
Julie Borlaug, granddaughter of Dr. Norman Borlaug, spoke about her grandfather’s enduring friendship with Quinn and their lasting collaboration on global food security. Sherrill Whisenand of the Branstad Churchill Group delivered moving remarks on behalf of nominator Ambassador Terry Branstad, emphasizing Quinn’s lifelong dedication to service and agricultural advancement.
Ambassador Quinn’s keynote address — titled “Peace Through Agricultural Science and Technology” — traced his career from the Mekong Delta to the World Food Prize Foundation, and closed with a call to the next generation to carry forward the same spirit of passion, purpose, and service.
"Ambassador Kenneth Quinn's lifelong dedication to advancing global food security, agricultural science, and international collaboration embodies the very ideals of CAST's mission. It is a profound honor for CAST to recognize him with the organization's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award."
"It doesn't surprise me at all that Ken Quinn is receiving this award. Anyone who comes in contact with Ken knows that his passion for life, combined with his expertise in world affairs, brings him to the forefront of what this Award is all about."
The 2025 CAST Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony was made possible through the generous support of:
Supporting the next generation of agricultural science communicators.
Honoring mid-career professionals making a difference in ag science communication.
CAST’s highest honor — for sustained, career-long impact at the national or international level.
