2008 MM International
From Extension Collaborative Wiki
11. What has your state done in regards to international efforts?
Oklahoma
Some Oklahoma County Educators participate in the Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program and have an international experience. That's all I am aware of.
Arkansas
Some agents and Faculty have had the opportunity to do programs at the international level.
Virginia
Agents are encouraged to take advantage of international opportunities whether it be through 4-H or through international agriculture efforts as they arise.
Florida
Pete Vergot, Middle Manager, for NW, FL District, was the Southern representative on the Steering Committee (2002-2004) that worked with CSREES on a National Initiative to Internationalize Extension. Since then he has lead Florida Extension on several international educational projects, the most recent of which are:
- Web site developed to assist in Internationalizing Extension http://international_extension.ifas.ufl.edu/
- 2008, Statewide training – four sessions including a session in Miami-Dade County Cross-cultural Skill Training (13 county agents)
- 2008, Strong participation in AIAEE – Association of International Agricultural and Extension Education , Costa Rica 2008, 25th annual conference in Puerto Rico in May of 2009
- 2008, Liberia, Costa Rica – Horticulture training program for homeowners and commercial horticulture workers, with EARTH University’s LaFlor campus (7 county agents)
- 2008, Brazil – Biofuels Study Tour (5 county agents and 5 county commissioners)
- 2008 , China – Scientist Exchange Program – USAID, two county agents, and two state specialists in Digital Diagnostic Information Systems
Georgia
Georgia continues to promote opportunities for Agents to travel, experience other cultures and share knowledge at the international level. Our annual cross cultural experience (this year to Xalapa, Mexico) is intended to provide an in-home experience and increase understanding of Latino culture. These trips annually involve 10-12 Agents. We also have a 4-H Exchange Program with Puerto Rico.
In 2008, Agents from Georgia participated in a teaching assignment with ProNino USA. The Agents taught gardening, food preservation and nutrition at an orphanage in Honduras.
Georgia Agents have been invited to present on family issues at the Groves Conference on Marriage and Families in Ireland as well as presentations on Apiculture at the Greater Yorkshire Farm Show in England. Georgia Agents have been invited to China to help address peach production issues.
Kentucky
University of Kentucky Human Environmental Sciences School sponsored a trip to Ghana to work with food safety issues. Some of the FCS agents were allowed to participate in this trip.
North Carolina
Most international travel for agents is self directed. Several horticultural agents set up international educational tours for Master Gardeners, some other agents have specialties is areas like small fruits or honey production and have worked with key international support groups that post consulting opportunities. More recently NC has developed a memorandum of agreement with the Republic of Moldova to assist a rural development/agricultural extension agency. We are seeking funding partners to cover the cost of agents and specialist travel to assist.
Texas AgriLife Extension
Norman E. Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture provides significant opportunities for Texas AgriLife Extension Service faculty to participate in foreign assignments.
LSU AgCenter
LSU AgCenter has an active International Division that interfaces with all regions and departments.
Tennessee Extension
We have had county visits from a group from Thailand and Australia
