The best way to learn about international agriculture is to experience it.

Each May, the International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership (I-CAL) program takes 12 college students overseas to help them better understand international agriculture, trade and marketing. The program is designed for students to become immersed in international agriculture, to gain exposure to the world of international agri-business, and to acquire a valuable foreign cultural experience.

The 2014 I-CAL program will travel to Japan. During the two-week program students will meet with Japanese producers, end-users, major U.S. importers and much more.

Past I-CAL participants encourage others to apply.

“I was selected to participate in the 2008 I-CAL program that traveled to Morocco and Egypt,” said Cole Bishop, USGC global strategies coordinator. “This experience opened my eyes to international trade and how American agriculture plays a vital role in the global marketplace. I realized my passion was larger than American agriculture and included international agriculture. I highly encourage interested college students to apply for this program.”

The online application is now available by clicking here. All applications must be completed by Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Check out the Grains Foundation website or the National FFA organization website for more details.

The Grains Foundation was established in 1983 to assist the U.S. Grains Council in building partnerships in support of the positive role of international trade. The Council sees the foundation as an important tool in fostering relationships between Council members and customers and catalyzing the advancement and understanding of the value of international trade. The I-CAL program, sponsored by the Grains Foundation as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, is an illustration of how the Foundation acts as catalyst to advancing the understanding of the value of international agricultural trade starting with college students.