INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016/National FFA Organization) – During the past two weeks, 75 members visited South Africa for a 12-day educational and cultural experience.
Members participated in the 2016 International Leadership Seminar for State Officers, as an annual, international opportunity through the National FFA Organization for past and present state FFA officers. The experience allows FFA members to experience foreign culture, learn about international agriculture and become more knowledgeable of the global marketplace.
75 past and present state FFA officers representing 23 states left the U.S. on Jan. 4. The group traveled throughout five of the country's nine provinces while surveying the agricultural landscape. FFA officers met with government and U.S. Embassy officials to learn about U.S.- South African trade relations, toured crop and livestock operations, met with business and industry leaders and explored a private game reserve, which is home to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo. The group also met with fruit exporters and olive oil producers and much more.
“This seminar exposes students to culture and food production practices beyond what they are accustomed to in the United States,” said Shane Jacques, education specialist with the National FFA Organization. “Our hope is that through a structured experience like ILSSO, these students will see that study abroad opportunities or global internships and careers are not only attainable, but essential to providing a sustainable talent pipeline for agriculture and feeding the world.” Jacques added that, on average, nine out of ten students who participate in the program admit that they would be receptive to living and working abroad as a result of this experience.
Prior to departing the United States, the students completed ten weeks of online coursework related to cross-cultural adaptability. The program was made possible by corporate sponsors Bunge North America and John Deere.
Those students who participated in the trip were: Jordan Stowe of Enterprise, Ala.; Will Clark of Rogers, Ark.; Taylor Pearce of Okeechobee, Fla.; Anne Schwartz of Gainesville, Fla.; Stephen Singleton of San Mateo, Fla.; Matt Staples of Groveland, Fla.; Heather Yoder of Blountstown, Fla.; Amanda Anderson of Algona, Iowa; Erica Baier of Adel, Iowa; Hailey Burley of Lake City, Iowa; Mikayla Dolch of Villisca, Iowa; Hunter Hamilton of Lone Tree, Iowa; Brandon Hanson of Iowa Falls, Iowa; Kayla Kaalberg of Nichols, Iowa; Elisa Russ of New Hampton, Iowa; Connor Carmody of Hardin, Ill.; Kade Hill of Paxton, Ill.; Jordan Johns of Pontiac, Ill.; Kolton Kimpling of Streator, Ill.; Susie Thompson of Maple Park, Ill.; Lane Coberly of Manhattan, Kan.; Gabryelle Gilliam of Washington, Kan.; Dean Klahr of Holton, Kan.; Kyler Langvardt of Chapman, Kan.; Bailey Peterson of Buhler, Kan.; Karl Wilhelm of Manhatta, Kan.; Hannah Adkins of Laytonsville, Md.; Katelyn Allen of Jefferson, Md.; Ashley Fuss of Frederick, Md.; Elizabeth Knight of Frederick, Md.; Isabella Kukor-Laureano of Frederick, Md.; Anna Linthicum of Laytonsville, Md.; Dayna McCrum of Mars Hill, Maine; Connor Ewald of Elkton, Mich.; PJ Aarsvold of Altura, Mich.; Sam Johnson of Glenville, Minn.; Morgan Krause of Buffalo, Minn.; Maggie Larson of Aitkin, Minn.; Madison Taylor of Randolph, Minn.; Travis Troendle of Lanesboro, Minn.; Daniel Derrick of Cornith, Miss.; Jessica Everett of Decatur, Miss.; Brice Fortinberry of Leakesville, Miss.; Juwan Page of Lamar, Miss.; Karli Stringer of Sumarall, Miss.; Gage Hoegermeyer of Herman, Neb.; Katie Nolles of Basset, Neb.; David Schuler of Bridgeport, Neb.; Renae Sieck of Martell, Neb.; Nevada Smith of Ashland, Neb.; Trevor Spath of Eagle, Neb.; Jake Wilkins of Ainsworth, Neb.; Myranda Bond, of Stockton, N.J.; Mitchell Pinnell of Texico, N. M.; Maria Martinez of Flushing, N.Y.; Matthew Klopfenstein of Haviland, Ohio; Addie Howell of Jefferson, Ore.; Joe Matteo of Sutherlin, Ore.; Luis Mendoza of Molalla, Ore.; Ricky Molitor of Madras, Ore.; Bailey Myers of Nyssa, Ore.; Alyssa Smith of Elkton, Ore.; Jordanne Howe of Redfield, S.D.; Shane Mueller of Garretson, S.D.; Derek Anderson of Machester, Tenn.; Madison Benson of Reagan, Tenn.; Chelsea Wattenbarger of Crossville, Tenn.; Bethany Gochenour of Lebanon Church, Va.; Emily Moyers of Covington, Va.; Cailin Orgen of Stephens City, Va.; Chandler Vaughan of Keysville, Va.; Hunter Wimmer of Bedford, Va.; Julia Spangler of Wenatchee, Wash.; and Kyle Webber of Powell, Wyo.
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 629,367 student members who belong to one of 7,757 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
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