Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on June 19 will host a group of international visitors seeking information about agricultural issues. The group will also visit other places in the state during their July 16-23 visit.

“Iowa State University is a national and international leader in so many agricultural disciplines: animal science, dairy science, agricultural economics and agricultural policy, agronomy and the crop sciences,” says Ed Kee, Delaware’s former secretary of agriculture who is leading the tour. “Visiting and understanding the programs of Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences could lead to scholars working to improve their universities back home.”

Nuffield International is bringing the group of 10 farmers and others involved in agriculture from Brazil, Ireland, New Zealand, England, Australia and the Netherlands. The organization awards scholarships “to develop people to make a difference in the world of agriculture.”

An ag exchange program with deep roots
The concept originated with the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, which in the 1940s began giving citizens of the United Kingdom the opportunity to research topics of interest in farming, food, horticulture or rural industries. It is a nonprofit organization that encompasses the Nuffield Farming Scholarship organizations around the world, including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe and associate countries, Brazil and the United States.

Kee is the president of the American group. Bill Northey, secretary of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, is on its board of directors.

“The Nuffield Scholars come from countries where universities with agricultural programs may teach, may do research, but don't have the Extension component. They will benefit greatly from gaining an enhanced understanding of all three components of the land-grant mission,” Kee says.

Visitors will learn about Iowa agriculture
The visit will include an overview of Iowa State and the ag college by Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; a presentation about trade by Chad Hart, associate professor of economics; a tour of ISU’s ag and biosystems engineering department; and a visit to the horticulture research station.

The 10 Nuffield scholars visiting Iowa next week are mostly farmers:
• Murilo Martins Bettarello, Brazil
• Jaap Dun, Netherlands
• Mathew Fealy, Australia
• David Hichens, Australia
• Crispin Howitt, Australia
• Rebecca Hyde, New Zealand
• Lara Ladyman, Australia
• Felicity McLeod, Australia
• Ed Payne, Ireland
• Stuart Tait, Australia

Source: Iowa State University