Washington D.C. – Day 6
March 9, 2009
Our final day in D.C. started with an eye-opening presentation from Paul Shapiro of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The HSUS message is one we must recognize: many practices in livestock production may seem cruel to the general public. Collin Woodall from National Cattlemen Beef Association (NCBA) provided counter-point arguments and suggested ariculture needs strong spokespeople to defend and expand animal agriculture to feed a growing and hungry world population.
Our wrap-up session speaker was Chuck Connor of the National Council for Farmer’s Cooperatives (NCFS). As a former acting secretary of agriculture, he summed up the top ten issues in Washington D.C. today in two words: The Economy. Unlike the past when America went about its business with often little care to what happened in Washington, today Wall Street and others look to the capital to see what’s happening next. This is an atmosphere where politicians cannot be politicians, but must act in the best interests of the country. We face a lack of consumer and banking confidence that must be restored.
Exhausted, but in great spirits, we’re headed for home, grateful for a wonderful learning experience, confident in agriculture’s place to improve lives, and having strengthened our friendships.
Day 5 – The march to the Hill.
March 6, 2009
The Class of 2010 had its busiest and warmest day of the trip so far! Our day began with a march to Capitol Hill and the Illinois Senator’s Coffee. This event, begun by Senator Paul Simon during his tenure, is an opportunity for visiting constituents to meet and ask questions of their elected officials. A handful of policy issues both relative to the nation and the state were discussed with Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Roland Burris and 13th District of Illinois Congresswoman Judy Biggert. Class participant Chris Salrin inquired about the status of Future Gen, the clean coal project slated to be developed in Mattoon, Illinois.
Out next stop was a tour of the US Capitol courtesy of Aaron Schock, the 18th District of Illinois Congressman. The tour began in the new visitor’s center followed by a viewing of the Capitol rotunda, the old House of Representatives chamber, the old Senate chamber. Our last stop was the new House of Representative chamber where the class watched a proposed bill relating home mortgages being discussed. The Capitol is an amazing building rich in both history and magnificent artwork.
After touring the Capitol we met briefly with Congressman Aaron Shock and his staff in the Rayburn House Office Building to discuss agriculture policy and the associated topics that he is currently working on including the Future Gen project, the evolving ethanol business in Illinois, and the future of livestock production in our state. Before wrapping up, we also had the chance to visit with Bobby Frederick, advisor to US House Representative Tim Johnson.
After a quick lunch at the Rayburn House Office Building and a Metro excursion across town we arrived at the IPC Agritrade building for our afternoon seminar. This afternoon’s seminar, which was comprised of two international trade roundtables, was hosted by the IPC’s Chief Executive Charlotte Hebebrand. The first roundtable discussion focused on the Doha trade talks, the EU, and APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation). Our guest speakers were JB Penn, John Deere, Devry Boughner, Cargill and Dan Rotenberg with the European Commission.
The second roundtable discussion centered on the trilateral NAFTA trade agreement on the economic and social benefit this agreement has had for the North American continent. Our guest speakers were Joe O’Mara, President, O’Mara & Associates, Chris Leggett, First Secretary of Agriculture, Embassy of Canada and Hector Marquez, NAFTA Office, Embassy of Mexico.
Our day concluded with a dinner at the Canadian Embassy complete with remarks by Susan Harper, the Canadian Embassy’s Economic Minister, on why the free trade policy between Canada and the US is so vital to the prosperity of both countries. The Canadian Embassy, on Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol and White House, provided a tremendous view of the Washington, D.C skyline and the event served as a capstone to the day’s events.
Incredibly, tomorrow, Friday, is our final day before returning to Illinois. It’s hard to believe that our week-long stay in Washington is passing by so quickly.
Washington D.C. – Day 4
March 5, 2009
The IALP Class of 2010 was greeted with sunshine and less wind as we headed out for Day 4 in Washington DC. The group was greeted at the World Bank with a continental breakfast. This was followed by a nearly two hour session with Mark Cackler, World Bank Manager of Agriculture and Rural Development. There are 180 countries that own the World Bank; the US ownership is 18%. Startling, but real numbers, 75% of the world’s poor are living in rural areas most likely involved in farming. The World Bank is interested in poverty alleviation.
Agriculture remains the fundamental way for poverty reduction. The group was challenged with the necessity to grow twice the food production on our existing amount of land. Mr. Cackler asked many questions of the group on US crop production and trends. One last statistic that struck a nerve with many in the group; 940 million people are going to bed hungry each night. As leaders in Agriculture and food producers – we can make a difference.
After traveling the metro system and in cabs, we were greeted at the Farm Credit Administration by Mr. Lee Strom, Chairman and CEO (IALP Class of 1988). The group had a concentrated hour and a half at the location, including a working lunch. Speakers included: Lee Strom (Chairman and CEO), Dallas Tonsager (Board Member), Roland Smith (Secretary of the Board), Charlie Rawls (General Counsel) and Bill Hoffman (COO). Agriculture this far has held strong through this down economic time.
The group had the very rare opportunity to spend the remainder of our afternoon at the Office for the Director of National Intelligence. It was an eye opening experience and a chance to learn more on topics that most of us knew very little about. Our general topics of discussion were:
· Intelligence from the Private Contractor Perspective – TAC
· CIA and Its Role in the Intelligence Community
· Department of National Intelligence Overview – How We Got Here; Where We Go From Here
· Agro-Terrorism, a USDA Perspective
· DHS Fusion Center – Illinois
· FBI Support to the US Ag Sector
With our only free night of the week, the majority of the group opted to go on the Monuments by Moonlight tour aboard our very own Old Town Trolley. While nighttime may not seem like the most ideal time to visit the prestigious monuments of our capital, it was truly the only opportunity during the week (and many have never been here before). We found it all to be equally breathtaking and moving.
We once again want to thank our Sponsors and everybody who worked so diligently to give us all of these opportunities. 
