Twelve of the nation’s premier agriculture students were recently selected for the 2011 International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership (I-CAL) Program. These students were required to complete an application and answer numerous essay questions regarding their understanding and thoughts on international trade and marketing. They will travel to Panama and Columbia May 15–27 to study international grain marketing and trade and global agriculture.

The selected students are: Matt Barnhill of North Carolina State University, Adrienne Bradley of the University of California-Davis, Andrew Carpenter of the University of Wyoming, Chelsy Coen of Kansas State University, Kelli Fulkerson of South Dakota State University, Lauren Geiger of Kansas State University, Dakota Hoben of Iowa State University, Sarah Marten of Kansas State University, Thomas Marten of Southern Illinois University, Jarvis Pace of Utah State University, Caleb Wurth of Kansas State University, and Gracie Weinzierl of Illinois State University.

During the program, they will visit many different South American agricultural operations, including grain inspecting facilities, fruit/vegetable production farms, livestock operations, and open air grain, meat and animal markets. The tours are designed to help the students – all who plan to pursue careers in the agriculture industry – understand current international trade and cultural issues and gain awareness of how international markets for agricultural products operate.

The I-CAL program was developed as a partnership with the U.S. Grains Council and The Grains Foundation. These organizations seek to build global markets for American grains. Through their work, they also provide opportunities for others to learn about how the global marketplace affects American agriculture. Visit www.grains.org for more information. PD

—From National FFA news release