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Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation

IALF

March 14, 2019 By Nicole

Day 4 of the Class of 2020 National Study Seminar

Filed Under: Class of 2020, News, Travel Diary

By Heather Spray, Andy Wold, and Ellen Kamps

As the sun rose over the Washington Monument, the IALF Class of 2020 boarded the D.C. Metro and departed for the Politico Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. 

Greeted by Senior Editor Bob Hillman, the class toured the newsroom to expand their understanding of the international news agency that employs roughly 550 staff. Raised on a farm in Illinois and as an alumnus of the University of Illinois, Mr. Hillman educated the class on advertising structures and the future of journalistic integrity in the 21st century.

IALP Class of 2020 arrives at Politico.

The class learned that Politico’s target demographic is the political community at large, and geared towards Washington’s lawyers, lobbyists, and think tank professionals. The publication was launched in 2007 and is owned by Robert Allbritton.

The group of 32 then traveled to Embassy Row where they visited the New Zealand Embassy and British Embassy. Ambassador Rosemary Banks of New Zealand welcomed the class in Te Reo, the language of the Māori people. Dr. Steve Kelly, first secretary to agriculture and trade, joined the group and explained how 47% of gross agricultural revenue comes from dairy, 11% from cattle, 13% from horticulture and 10% from lamb. He emphasized the importance of free trade in New Zealand and how it is essential to their economy, with exports at approximately 30% of the GDP (compared to only 13% in the U.S.A.) and international trade (imports and exports) at 60% of New Zealand’s total economic activity.

Ambassador Rosemary Banks of New Zealand welcomed the class in Te Reo, the language of the Māori people. 

The next stop was the Great Britain Embassy for a briefing on trade policy and the impending Brexit vote. Jennifer Groover, senior policy advisor for trade and agriculture, led the conversation along with Neil DeSouza, trade policy analyst, and Sarah Clegg, head of trade and agriculture policy. It was a unique opportunity to discuss policy at the Embassy, as just two hours after the meeting, Britain’s House of Commons rejected the no-deal Brexit with a vote of 321-278.

Discussing agricultural trade policy an Brexit at the Great Britain Embassy.

After Embassy Row, the class ubered to the White House at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building where they met Gail Slater, special assistant to the president for technology, telecom and cyber policy, as well as Jeremy Wiggins, associate director and policy coordinator of the national econ council, and Richard Chalky, associate director in the office of legislative affairs. The discussion touched on the USDA and their nine potential locations for a food and agriculture hub in Illinois, the USMCA and replacing NAFTA, as well as the rural broadband efforts by the Trump administration. 

National Economic briefing at the White House in the 
Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

The final stop of the day was at the U.S. State Department for a briefing from Principal Deputy Assistant for Economic and Business Affairs Peter Haas, as well as Director of the Office of Agricultural Policy Patrick Dunn. Both explained how the department focuses on food trade, food assistance, food security and biotechnology. With the international trip for Illinois Agricultural Leadership less than a year away, the class’ interest was piqued on topics such as China’s influence on Africa, Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto, GMO adoption and technology, globalized markets, and the World Trade Organization.

Previous Post: « Day Three: Class of 2020 National Study Seminar
Next Post: Day 5 of the Class of 2020 National Seminar »

Primary Sidebar

"IALF provides continuation of leadership through education. The result is successful leaders at all levels. The class size makes it special and allows outstanding people to be part of the program."

Dan Kelley, Class of 1984

Past Chairman of the Board, GROWMARK, Inc.

"You will experience mind-expanding concepts and meet people that challenge you. You will never again see yourself as a small part agriculture. You will see agriculture as the most important industry in the world and realize that you have unlimited choices how to serve and influence the direction of that industry."

Jim Frank, Class of 1984

Frank Environmental Services

"The Illinois Ag Leadership Program extends to participants strong and credible experiences which go beyond the typical degree program."

Gerry Salzman, Class of 1992

Past Senior Director Global Marketing, Case IH

"IALF alumni have affiliations with leading organizations in agriculture. IALF has visibility and has positioned itself with a hybrid view of agriculture-urban and rural, combined with strong relations with land grant universities and the private sector. Their graduates are strong voices in the agricultural community."

Bill Niebur, Class of 1988

President and COO, Hi Fidelity Genetics

"The IALF program made me more aware of the importance of agriculture in developing underdeveloped countries.  It opened my eyes to the opportunities all around the world as well as the global impact developed countries have on agriculture."

Brian Anderson, Class of 2014

Pioneer

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