Teen Organic Food and Farming Advocate to Visit Russia

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Oct. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Teen Organic Food and Farming Advocate to Visit Russia

14 year old Birke Baehr to spread his message of good food and farming across the globe

October 1, 2013 - Knoxville, TN – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Little did Birke Baehr know three years ago when he took the stage at the TEDx Next Generation Asheville’s 2010 event how far his five minute talk, “What’s Wrong With Our Food System and How We Can Make a  Difference”  would go. In fact his message has made it all the way across the globe to Russia! School children in Russia participated in a letter writing contest called, “The Best Letter to Birke Baehr,” which was organized by the “Journey to the Health” http://schoolfoodforum.ru/ a project of the Social & Industrial Foodservice Institute.

After the winners of the contest received Birke’s congratulations in a response letter, the children invited Birke to Moscow. “I was surprised to learn about the contest,” Birke said, “I had no idea that my talk had made it that far around the world!” In addition to meeting with Russian children to discuss their views on the food system in October, the young advocate will also attend, Golden Autumn the largest agricultural conference in Russia, where he will connect and converse with Russian organic farmers.

In conjunction with his trip to Moscow, Birke has written a letter to Mrs. Obama complimenting her on the work she has done addressing childhood obesity and healthy eating but he didn’t stop there. Birke also wrote to the First Lady concerning the labeling of GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) on US foods and the future of organic food and farming in the United States. Vova, a Russian boy wrote to President Putin to address similar issues. “As young people, we are the future and we really see what is happening with food all across the globe. For me to have this kind of opportunity to discuss food issues with other people my age who have the same kind of concerns is very exciting to me!” said the 14 year old Baehr whose list of accomplishments include his now nearly famous 2010 TEDx talk, a spot in the documentary film, Choice Point and the publication of his first children’s book, Birke on The Farm which he wrote at age twelve.

Since 2010, Birke has continued with a steady diet of speaking events and public appearances where he advocates for everyone to connect personally with their food sources. He recommends that people take the time to get to know their farmers, visit farms and farmer’s markets, read ingredient labels, ask questions and buy organic when shopping at supermarkets. He also shares with kids that that their voices are important and they don’t have to wait until they are grown-up to be heard or to make a difference in the world.  Birke was named one of six child environmentalists who have already made a difference in the world by Treehugger.com, he currently blogs for Foodbabe.com and is a contributor to the recently released anthology, Stand Up! 75 Youth Environmentalists Who Rock the World! Currently Birke is saving up to buy his own farm. You can follow Birke Baehr on facebook, twitter and via his website www.birkeonthefarm.com.

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Social & Industrial Foodservice Institute (http://www.orgpit.ru/eng/) is engaged in the development and modernization of the systems of social and corporate feeding in Russia and abroad where it collaborates with the United Nations World Food Program.  Among the priorities of the Institute is teaching children the basics of healthy food, farming, ecology, and system thinking. http://orgpit.ru/eng/

For photos or additional materials contact: birkebaehr@birkeonthefarm.com