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Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation

IALF

March 12, 2019 By Nicole

Day Two of the Class of 2020 National Study Seminar

Filed Under: Class of 2020, News, Travel Diary

By Joe Camp, Jason Czapka, and Drew Hesker

A light breakfast at the hotel followed the hearty jambalaya dinner provided to by special guests Gary and Ann Baise in their Virginia home. Monday morning’s seminar started strong with a riveting presentation about the World Bank’s mission of ending poverty by the Head of the Africa Policy Unit, Holger Kray. Holger extolled the many virtues of agriculture in Africa and had us excited with thoughts of our International Studies possibly being somewhere on that continent.

Holgar Kray, Head, Africa Agriculture Policy Unit briefs the IALP Class of 2020 on the World Bank Organization.
The IALP Class of 2020 pauses for a picture in front of the White House with President & CEO Lee Strom as well as Program Director Todd Lowery.

Our second stop of the day was at USAID.  Jen Mack, Deputy Assistant to the Administrator in USAID’s Bureau for Food Security, welcomed the IALP Class of 20’ to USAID Bureau for Food Security and provided a history and mission of the organization.  Rob Bertram, Chief Scientist in USAID’s Bureau for Food Security, discussed the Feed the Future initiative and Soybean Innovation Lab USAID, including why USAID invests in agriculture.  Nora Lapitan, Division Chief of Research in the Bureau for Food Security, discussed an overview and the benefits of the Innovation Lab USAID.  Jerry Glover, National Geographic Society Explorer, and Senior Sustainable Agricultural Systems enlightened the group on the Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab, which is helping to increase productivity within agriculture.  John Peters wrapped up the session at USAID with a discussion on the history and impact of the Farmer 2 Farmer program.

Jerry Glover, National Geographic Society Explorer and Senior Sustainable Agricultural Systems Advisor for USAID discusses the Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab with the IALP Class of 2020.

After our time at USAID, we walked through The Mall to the USDA.  We first listened to Martin Barbre, RMA Administrator, on new crop insurance programs his team his working on.  As an Illinois farmer, he understands that risk protection not only benefits the farmer but the rural communities as a whole.  Next, Under Secretary McKinney gave the IALF an update on the status of the various trade agreements President Trump is working on.  He expressed optimism on those pending deals, and how U.S. Ag is poised to benefit from them.  After Under Secretary McKinney, Dr. Holland discussed the role of NIFA and Brandon Lipps covered the nation’s 15 federal nutrition assistance programs.

The highlight of our time at USDA was having a Q&A session with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.  He was very open with us on topics ranging from trade to genetics and organic farming to President Trump’s 2018 Market Facilitation Program.  The program will very likely not be repeated in 2019, so he suggested using the futures markets to lock in minimal margins if the opportunity exists.  In conclusion Secretary Purdue was asked about is best advice for the IALF class of 2020, and he told us “The harder you work, the luckier you get”.

Sonny Purdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, took time from his busy schedule for a group picture with the IALP Class of 2020, President & CEO Lee Strom, and Program Director Todd Lowery at the USDA Department of Agriculture

A visit to Nestle Corporation lived up to the hype created by IALP President and CEO Lee Strom, who promised us the best view of Washington DC. Gathered on the 33rd floor of the Nestle building, the Class of 2020 was addressed by Senior Vice President of Corporate and Government Affairs Molly Fogarty with her colleague Kent Wilson, Policy Advisor, U.S. Public Affairs.  We were immensely grateful for the opportunity to hear about the world’s largest food company and its connections with U.S. and global agriculture.

Jack Powers (IALP 2020) thanks Molly Fogarty, Senior Vice President, Corporate & Government Affairs, Nestle for a great reception.

Monday ended with ample time for fellowship among the classmates. A few eventually went off to find a quite spot for work, including the Presiding Fellows tasked with writing this blog. Others flocked toward a good time in the DC Wharf District.  All were eager to get to Tuesday’s agenda – to visit the Farm Credit Administration, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, CropLife of America, and members of the California Ag Leadership Program!

Previous Post: « Class of 2020 Begins Their National Study Seminar
Next Post: Day Three: Class of 2020 National Study 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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