She told the story of a woman from a poor village in Zimbabwe. A family member helped send her to school in the United States with earnings from a donated milk goat. She received a doctoral degree.

JO LUCK: "That is what a goat did. That is one example. The animal is only the catalyst. That is the beginning of many other things that follow."

worldfoodprize.org

David Beckmann became president of Bread for the World in nineteen ninety-one. Before that, he worked on poverty issues at the World Bank. He is an economist and a Christian clergyman.

Bread for the World organizes people from religious and non-religious groups to write, call and visit members of Congress. The purpose is to support measures to improve the lives of the poor.

David Beckmann points to big increases in American development assistance.

DAVID BECKMANN: "I think that would not have happened without the advocacy of hundreds of thousands of people and churches that are part of Bread for the World and that keep the pressure on their members of Congress."

The prize committee also credited his efforts with helping to increase aid to needy families in the United States.

Norman Borlaug established the World Food Prize in nineteen eighty-six. His work with rice and wheat crops saved millions from starving in Asia and Latin America. The plant scientist and Nobel Peace Prize winner died last year at the age of ninety-five.