Class 39 out front of the USDA Building
Our first day in Washington D.C. and we were ready. Top of the agenda was the USDA building. We arrived, made it through security and had a variety of speakers. We had a lot of talks regarding international agricultural affairs. We learned about how the Department of Defense views agriculture as a strategic asset, both nationally and internationally.
We heard about the security of our food supply, and how that is tested during natural disasters. One interesting speaker involved with the African Affairs Policy explained the complexity of the programs in Africa, with providing food aid to areas that are largely ungoverned. We got to meet the USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
We had a quick lunch with some lobbyists, and got to hear how they represent various industries on the hill. Interesting perspective to see how the rubber hits the road. We were supposed to meet Barbara Boxer, but were stood up, and instead had one of her staffers. Off to visit with Congressman Costa. We had a reception at the USDA building that evening.
The next day we visited the International Food Policy Research Institute, learned about food safety in developing countries and bio-fortification (breeding crops that are packed with micronutrients and marketed in developing countries). We then hopped on the bus and visited the National Defense University, met with Col. Randolph and students of NDU. We really enjoyed walking the grounds and hearing the history of the NDU from Col. Randolph... what a wealth of knowledge!
Back on the bus, back to D.C. to visit Congressman Radanovich (Ag Leadership Alum). Here we heard about a lot of issues, but we surely talked about the history of the San Joaquin River agreement. Dinner that night was with alumni from the Washington D.C. Exchange program, sponsored by the California Ag Leadership Program that brings federal policy-making decision makers to view the issues facing California agriculture.
The next day we visited the International Food Policy Research Institute, learned about food safety in developing countries and bio-fortification (breeding crops that are packed with micronutrients and marketed in developing countries). We then hopped on the bus and visited the National Defense University, met with Col. Randolph and students of NDU. We really enjoyed walking the grounds and hearing the history of the NDU from Col. Randolph... what a wealth of knowledge!
Back on the bus, back to D.C. to visit Congressman Radanovich (Ag Leadership Alum). Here we heard about a lot of issues, but we surely talked about the history of the San Joaquin River agreement. Dinner that night was with alumni from the Washington D.C. Exchange program, sponsored by the California Ag Leadership Program that brings federal policy-making decision makers to view the issues facing California agriculture.
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