The internationally celebrated World Food Prize Foundation calls Des Moines home; located in the heart of downtown along the Des Moines river in the old public library building. And this weekend the annual festival celebrating agriculture and international food takes over the East Village.

Many call the World Food Prize the “nobel prize for food and agriculture”. Established in 1986, this international organization recognizes EXCEPTIONAL achievements by individuals who have advanced and improved the quality,quantity availability of food in our world.

But there’s ALOT more to this organization than just the $250,000 cash prize thats awarded annually.

Along with the presentation of the prize, there’s the “Borlaug Dialouge” a 3 day conference that focuses and discusses current issues on food and agriculture with some of the worlds foremost leaders in government,agriculture and technology.

In conjunction with the dialouge talented high school students from across the globe are invited to take part in the youth institute and symposium. These high schoolers get a first hand look at the discussions and issues our world faces in the world of agriculture. Many of these students also get a chance to take part in the Borlaug-Ruan internship program. Traveling to locations like Brazil,China, Egypt and more to see first hand the work being done to improve the quality of food world wide.

And while most of us won’t get the chance to take part in this amazing conference. We can still get a taste of it and join in the celebration of the World Food Prize at the World Food Festival.

Taking over the East village starting today, visitors can experience over 30 cultural cafes that call Des Moines home. Like Casa Brasil,Indian Delights, Cafe Fuzion and more. Visitors can watch live entertainment from: Bella Soul,Decoy, Omega Dog and more. And watch cooking demonstrations from some of Des Moines greatest chefs!

To view all the details, including hours, vendors and how you can park for FREE check out the World Food Festival website!

Calling all artists, inventors, anatomists, sculptors, engineers, musicians and architects!!

You have a chance to see the world’s most comprehensive exhibit on the man that created REMARKABLE work in; inventing,art,engineering and etc YEARS before his time.

We’re of course talking about Mr. Leonardo Da Vinci and the traveling exhibit celebrating his accomplishments, “Da Vinci-The Genius”, which opens this weekend, right here in Des Moines at the Science Center of Iowa.

This exhibit makes it the largest traveling exhibit SCI has ever hosted, spanning 14,000 square feet and it covers all aspects of his AMAZING work!

When visiting the exhibit you’ll be able to:

Take a peek at copies of his legendary codices, the notebooks where he wrote his scientific ideas,anatomical sketches, models for devices we would unknowingly end up creating centuries later (like the helicopter), and more. And it was all written in his signature handwriting, of right to left!

You’ll also get a chance to explore his paintings. From “The Last Supper”, to the “Vitruvian Man” to the beautiful “Mona Lisa” and her smile and whether or not she really did have eyebrows.

This exhibit is sure to be a MUST SEE for everyone, and is sure to have something that will interest everyone. From 3-D looks at some of the paintings, to replicas of Da Vinci’s inventions made with the tools he would have had available, to educational exhibits for the kids, and then of course a gift shop!

So, make sure you take your wife,boyfriend, kids, grandparents or whomever on a trip to Downtown Des Moines to check out this amazing exhibit. And while you’re there, make sure to check out ALL things that the Science Center has to offer. And then afterwards, be sure to grab a tasty meal at one of Court Avenue’s restaurants!

For more information on the exhibit check out the official website for: “Da Vinci-The Genius”