Cross cultural talks about soybeans

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MATO GROSSO, Brazil — During a late-January visit to Brazil, Illinois Soybean Association board members met with APROSOJA, the soybean association in Mato Grosso, and discussed establishing a young leader exchange between the two organizations.

“We are very interested in encouraging our young leaders to learn about the global scale of soybean production,” said Ron Moore, ISA chairman. “We’ve been working with APROSOJA for the past few years and are very excited about the opportunity to partner with them on this project.”

As part of its commitment to the exchange, Illinois Soy Ambassadors accompanied board members and staff to Brazil Jan. 23-31 and met with two potential Brazilian young leaders. The ambassadors invited the pair to visit Illinois and learn more about soybean production in the Midwest, perhaps as early as this spring.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to show them our technology and discuss issues and opportunities we face in Central Illinois,” said John Hagenbuch, a soy ambassador from Utica.

Soy ambassadors serve for one year. During this time, they learn about leadership and communicating with others, soybean production, research and marketing and are invited to other ISA board and committee activities.

In addition to establishing a young leader exchange, ISA and APROSOJA also identified two other potential areas where they can work together. These areas include sharing information about sustainability and bio-energy and also communicating with non-farm audiences about the benefits of agriculture to themselves, their economy, food security, and the people around the world..

Prior to meeting with APROSOJA, the Illinois farmer leaders also met with leaders who represented various agricultural interests. They included the University of Sao Paulo’s school of agriculture, stock and futures exchange, oilseed processors association, grain exporters association, United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service, their national Farm Bureau, the Ministry of Agriculture and their national research organization.

ISA’s relationship with APROSOJA goes back to 2008. This was the third face-to-face meeting, as ISA visited Brazil last winter, followed by APROSOJA’s visit to the 2009 Farm Progress Show in September. Association staff and farmer leaders plan to meet again at the 2010 Commodity Classic in March.