Twelve U.S. college students will get a firsthand look at Southeast Asia’s dynamic economy during the 2012 International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership (I-CAL) Program, sponsored by The Grains Foundation and FFA Organization. May 19-June 1, students will travel throughout Southeast Asia on a mission to gain exposure to international agriculture and trade.
“Trade expansion is a long-term driver of U.S. agricultural growth. With the age of increasing global consumerism at our door, the youth of today will soon be responsible for developing and maintaining the adaption of global policies that advance consistent, fair, rules-based systems for trade,” said Foundation Chairman Terry Vinduska. “The I-CAL program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students to gain the global perspective at such an early stage in their careers.”
The schedule includes tours of livestock, poultry and aquaculture farms, a feed mill, a palm oil plantation, and bulk and container port facilities in Vietnam and Malaysia. Meetings are also scheduled with importers of corn and distiller’s dried grains and with a multinational grain trading company and an ag news department during a final stop in Singapore.
“As with previous classes, we want them to experience the unique cultures of this region and be exposed to the great potential here for demand growth and for U.S. market share,” said Adel Yusupov, U.S. Grains Council regional director, who will escort the group.
This year’s I-CAL class members represent nine major universities:
- Sarah Warren, Margery Magill and Edward Silva from University of California-Davis;
- Karl Kearns and Bethany Olson from Iowa State University;
- Nellie Hill from Kansas State;
- Mathias Peterson from the University of Minnesota;
- Breanne Brammer from the University of Missouri;
- Bethany Markway from Missouri State;
- Daniel Alvey from North Carolina State;
- Shasta Sowers from Virginia Tech; and
- McKenzie Baecker from the University of Wisconsin.
The I-CAL experience has prompted members of previous classes to pursue advanced degrees and careers in international agriculture. As a previous mission member who is currently student teaching testified, “In every conversation concerning agriculture I can relate an experience from I-CAL. I use my experiences as examples with my students at least 2-3 times per week.”
“Participation in I-CAL opens doors for many students. A 2011 I-CAL mission student said she was offered an internship at Utah State because of her knowledge of international agriculture,” said Vinduska. “This would not be possible without the financial support of U.S. Grains Council member donations. The 2012 mission was especially made possible by USGC Past Chairman Dr. Owen Newlin, Growmark, CHS foundation and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program.”