Improving Production, Nutrition, Environment, and Life in Panama

Panama is making great strides in improving its agriculture production and practices in collaboration with others. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations created the video linked below to share Panama's story. We encourage you to watch the video and utilize the discussions points below to strike up conversations with others around the globe. 

Panama Advances

Discussion Points

• Examine the video footage? What do you notice about everyday life and agriculture in Panama? What is similar and different from your home area?
• Throughout the video, four main points are shared in blue text: Better production, Better nutrition, Better environment, and Better life. How do these four areas tie together? What does this look like in Panama? Who does this look like in your home region?
• Of all the initiatives and projects highlighted in the video which ones do you feel could have the greatest impact and why?

Ukraine - Russia Conflict Impact

Today we had virtual collaboration between individuals in Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States as part of a virtual exchange with the Global Agriculture Learning Center. Each month these students gather via Zoom to discuss topics in agriculture. In the past month the eyes of the world have turned to Ukraine. This morning students came together from several continents to share their experiences and insights around the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and Russia. We want to challenge all reading the blog to continue these conversations. Below you will find questions that we posed to the group that gathered and shared their responses this morning. 

Reflect and Discuss the Following:

• How is the ongoing conflict impacting you/us personally and professionally?
• How does the conflict influence agriculture (i.e. crop production, animal science, horticulture, viticulture, etc.)?
• How does the conflict influence biodiversity?
• What can we do to ensure food security?
• How might things change as a result of the conflict? What might be done differently or what opportunities may arise?

Lowering Emissions in Agriculture

We invite you to explore a recently launched tool highlighting climate change mitigation in agriculture. The website is packed with information and resources to support learning and move individuals to action. The website is part of a program from CGIAR. CGIAR is a global research partnership focused on a food secure future. Check out the newly launched website below and reflect and discuss with others utilizing the discussion points provided. 

AgLED Resource Platform 

Discussion Points

• Take some time and explore the website. What page or resource do you find the most valuable to you in your local region? Did you find pages or tools that might be useful to other parts of the world? Share your findings with others if in a group setting. 
• One of the tools shared is the "Climate Action Tracker." Scroll down the home page to the "Find your country" section. What is your home country's rating and how does it compare to the rest of the world? What worries you about the map? What gives you optimism?
• As you explore the AgLED website what do you believe can be done in your local region, within agriculture, to lower emissions? Could these same actions be taken in different parts of the world or would different approaches be required?

Food Supply at Risk?

Our agrifood systems are being challenged daily by a variety of factors. Linked below is a story that provides the opportunity to explore agrifood systems and the challenges that they face. We encourage you to explore the linked story below, from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and strike up conversations with others around the globe. 

Is our food supply at risk?

Discussion Points

• What surprised you most from exploring this story and why?
• There are many factors that can stress our agrifood systems (i.e. pandemic, climate, conflict, logistics, etc.). Which factor/s do you believe provide/s the greatest threats to our agrifood systems and why?
• An emphasis of "diversity" was described to protect our agrifood systems. Do you see this diversity (as described) in the agrifood systems where you live? Is there potential room for greater diversity?
• Towards the end of the story there is a section on, what can be done to improve and protect agrifood systems. Of these ideas shared which do you feel is the best tactic for your home area? Does this look different in other areas of the world? Explain your reasonings.

Solar + Agriculture = Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics brings solar energy and agriculture together and is gaining popularity in Europe and other locations around the globe, including Colorado in the United States. Linked below is a video that shares the story of agrivoltaics in Longmont, Colorado. We encourage you to watch the video and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations with others around the globe!

Agrivoltaics: Solar Farm to Table

Discussion Points

• What surprised you the most from the video and why?
• What do you believe are the greatest benefits of agrivoltaics? What potential challenges are there regarding the use of agrivoltaics?
• Do you believe that agrivoltaics are a practice that could be adapted in your home area? Why or why not?
• How else might renewable energy sources and agriculture work together?

El Salvador’s Dry Corridor

Travel with us to El Salvador via the video linked below and learn about innovative practices that are empowering farmers in the region. We encourage you to utilize the discussion points below to reflect and engage in conversations with others around the globe. 

El Salvador - Dry Corridor Success

Discussion Points 

• As you watch the video what do you notice about agriculture in the Dry Corridor of El Salvador? What are the similarities and differences regarding agriculture in your home region and in El Salvador?
•  The FAO helped create a cooperative for a small group of farmers in the region. How might this cooperative benefit these farmers? Do farmers in your home region engage with cooperatives? Compare and contrast how cooperatives may be similar or different in your home region and El Salvador. 
• The video mentions the implementation of education and training as a part of the success. Why are trainings and educational opportunities key to development for countries in the Global South?

Child Labor and Agriculture

Child labor around the globe is a concerning topic. The video linked below from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations highlights the dark realities of child labor. You are encouraged to watch the video linked below and utilize the discussion points to engage with others around the globe.

To achieve Zero Hunger, we must have ZERO CHILD LABOUR

Discussion Points

• What stuck with you from the video and why?
• Does child labor look different in different parts of the world (specifically in agriculture)? What does it look like locally for yourself? 
• As you discuss child labor with others someone makes the statement, "Maybe it is just part of their culture? We cannot disrespect their culture." How would you respond to this? Do you agree or disagree? How might you navigate this conversation/situation?

Family Farms Around the Globe

The United Nations has named 2019-2028 the Decade of Family Farming. The interactive page linked below includes a video, key messages, and key facts. You are encouraged to explore the page and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the world. 

United Nations Decade of Family Farming

Discussion Points

• After watching the video what message resonated with you and why?
• The page shared the importance of youth to the family farm. Why is youth important to the family farm? How are youth engaged in family farming in your home region? Does this look different around the globe?
• Scroll through and investigate the "Key Messages." Which key message do you believe is the most important and why?
• Explore and swipe through the "Key Facts." Which key fact grabbed your attention and why? 

World Food Day 2021

October 16th is World Food Day. Linked below you will find a video from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations highlighting World Food Day. We encourage you to watch the video and reflect on the questions below with others around the globe. 

World Food Day 2021

Discussion Points

• The video shares, "For each and every one of us, food tells a story." What does this statement mean to you? What is your food story?
• From watching the video, how do food stories differ around the globe? How do cultural differences impact our food stories?
• How does agriculture production in your local area and around the world impact your food story?
• "Our actions are our future." What does this statement mean to you? How will your actions regarding food and agriculture make for a better future?

Global Agriculture Data

Data can be a very powerful tool in decision making and management decisions. Some may think that data management concerns are concerns for individuals in the Global North, but this is something that impacts all including those in the Global South. The attached blog highlights the need and concerns for data management and sharing in agriculture at a global level. We invite you to read the linked and utilize the discussion points below to engage with others.

Could a Data Sharing Protocol be Agriculture's Missing Link?

Discussion Points

• One is one thing that you learned or surprised you from the blog?
• Why/how could data sharing potentially have a positive impact on agriculture around the globe? How does this look differently/similarly in different parts of the world? 
• What are the concerns with sharing data in agriculture locally and globally? Are people in your local area open to sharing data?
• What are your suggestions for best practices in sharing agriculture data globally? Explain your reasoning. 

Conservation Agriculture in Mozambique

Farmers in Mozambique are implementing conservation agriculture practices and finding great success. A video linked below from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations highlights a project that is increasing conservation agriculture projects. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points to engage with others around the globe!

Scaling up conservation agriculture in Mozambique

Discussion Points

• What surprised you most from the video and why?
• Describe the three principles of conservation agriculture shared in the video?
• Are these principles that are just useful in Mozambique or are they principles that could be useful in your home region as well? Explain your reasoning/thoughts.
• Are there other best practices shared from the video that could be implemented in other parts of the world? If so, what practices and where? Could you adapt some best practices shared to have even a greater impact?

Importance of Global Engagement

This week has been busy with emphasis on global engagement. At the beginning of the week I participated in the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education conference. So much great content and research was shared. In one of the breakouts a conversation around the benefits of Farmer to Farmer exchanges was discussed. It was noted that there were great benefits to both the visiting and hosting farmers. 

Today a group of students from Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States voluntarily gathered either early morning (in the USA) or late in their school day (in Denmark and the Netherlands). they discussed cultural and agricultural topics. This morning I also engaged in discussion with a United States Congresswoman regarding the importance of the United States leadership globally and the international affairs budget.

There is often debate around one countries presence on the global stage and why are we/they (or are we/they not) engaging with others internationally? Why should what is happening abroad bother us? We encourage you to reflect and engage in conversation with others utilizing the discussion points below. 

Discussion Points

• Do you believe it is important for your home country to engage with other nations globally? Why or why not? What is there to be gained? What is there to lose?
• In reflecting on the farmer to farmer exchanges and student virtual exchanges mentioned above in relation to agriculture, what are the benefits? Why would a farmer travel across the world to connect with another farmer? Why would college students climb out of bed for a 7:00 AM meeting?
• Do you believe it is important to financially support and/or invest in other countries? What does this look like in regards to agriculture, but also other areas such as health, conflict, etc.?
• When worldwide challenges face us do you believe it is more important to close off or reach out? Explain your thoughts. 

Alex's Story: Kenyan Farmer

Linked below is a story of a young Kenyan farmer named Alex. He showcases challenges and successes that he has experienced. We encourage you to watch the linked video (about 1 minute) and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations with others around the globe.

Overcoming any challenge 

Discussion Points

• How has Alex taken his past work and incorporated those experiences with his current work?
• What is your take-away from this video and why?
• How is technology in agriculture used differently around the world? What does it look like in your home region compared to Kenya where Alex is?
• Alex had the tools and knowledge from his past work to incorporate into his current farming work. How do we empower others that may not have had past work experiences as Alex did? How might we achieve this?

A Conversation with Hunger

We often envision hunger as a problem that exists in far off countries and unknown lands, but the reality is that hunger is everywhere. A couple weeks back we highlighted a poetry contest around hunger as a part of #GLAG21.  Recently Roger Thurow authored a piece highlighting a poem by AaronR the Poet inspired by Hiram Larew's Poetry X Hunger. You are encouraged to read the linked post and watch the video included. Following we invite you to utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations with others around the globe.

Talking Back to Hunger

Discussion Points

• What resonated with you from the blog entry or video and why?
• What does hunger look like in your home area? What does it look like in other parts of the world? Compare and contrast the two visions you have.
• "Having food to eat shouldn't be a privilege, but a basic life necessity." What does this line from the poem mean to you?
• How can we combat hunger both locally and globally in a sustainable manner? Share your thoughts and reflect on others. 

We challenge you to take action!

Agriculture Fashion

People do not always associate agriculture with the fashion industry, but the reality is they are closely linked. Most textiles and clothing are derived from agriculture. When visiting other countries often the textile and clothing curriculum and training is a part of agricultural education. Linked below is a video (4 minutes) that explains how women in the country of Kyrgyzstan are thriving due to a unique partnership. We encourage you to watch the linked video and explore the discussion points with others around the globe. 

Kyrgyz mountain women collaborate with fashion designer Stella Jean

Discussion Points

• What stuck out to you from the imagery in the video regarding agriculture? What challenges would the countries terrain present? What benefits could it present? 
• Do you believe this project structure provided a win for all groups and individuals involved? Explain your thoughts.
• This video showcased a creative approach to turn a supply chain into a value chain. Where else could this be applied within agriculture locally and globally?

Global Agricultural Commodity Markets

This week we take a look back at 2020 on the state of agricultural commodity markets around the globe. Global agriculture markets provide complex challenges and opportunities that are explored in the linked article below. We encourage you to explore the linked webpage and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations with others around the world.

Agricultural Commodity Markets 2020

Discussion Points

• The webpage starts off with, "We live in an interconnected world." Explain what this means in regards to agriculture and what it means to you personally. 
• Several graphs and charts are used throughout the webpage. Which one do you find most intriguing and why?
• Many challenges are shared. Create a list of these challenges and determine which one you would address as a top priority. Justify your response. 
• What ideas do you have to turn these challenges into opportunities? How might you take action locally to have a global impact?

Agriculture and Carbon

 At times some blame agriculture for climate issues, but the reality is that agriculture can be a driving solution regarding climate challenges. One of those many ways is through carbon sequestration. The linked article takes a look at carbon markets and agriculture. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations with others around the globe.

Clarity on Carbon's Potential

Discussion Points

• What did you find most interesting regarding the article and why?
• Several carbon market programs were shared. Which do you feel is the best program and why?
• This article primarily focused on the carbon programs in the United States. Execute an internet search. How are other countries looking at and approaching carbon markets relating to agriculture? Does it look different in different parts of the world?
• Carbon sequestration is one method farmers around the world improve the environment. Globally what are other ways that farmers are improving/protecting the environment?

Poetry and Global Agriculture

This week is #GLAG21 (Global Learning in Agriculture Conference)! This is a spectacular week that engages with individuals from all 50 U.S. states and 35+ different nations. This event is filled with great content and programs. An addition this year was incorporating the arts into the conference with a poetry contest through GLAGCreates. The video linked below is the winning poem from Tyler Cook recited by poets from around the globe. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations with others throughout the world.

One Poem, One Community

Discussion Points

• What is your initial reaction to the poem? 
• What line was the most impactful for you and why?
• How can the arts and sciences further team up to tackle challenges in agriculture?
• You are challenged to create a poem around hunger or agriculture and share with others!

Water and Agriculture

 There are so many important aspects to agriculture, but water is by far one of the most important. Travel around the world in the video linked below to discover the challenges and opportunities facing us around water and agriculture. Utilize the discussion points below to strike up conversations with others around the globe.

Overcoming Water Challenges in Agriculture

Discussion Points

• In the video several factors are shared that are leading to scarcity or higher pressure on water systems. What are these factors and which one do you feel creates the largest challenge and why?
• Likewise, several opportunities or solutions are provided as well. Identify the top solutions and explain your reasonings?
• Does water usage in agriculture look different around the world? What are those in agriculture doing to conserve and protect water in your local region? How does this differ in other parts of the world?
• Agriculture can sometimes be blamed for environmental/waters problems. How do we make sure that agriculture is part of the solution and that this story is told?

Empowering Women in Agriculture

 Women are essential to the success of agriculture, but yet face many boundaries and challenges in agriculture. At the Borlaug Dialogue as part of the World Food Prize last week H.E. Gilbert Houngbo (President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development) shared the following, "If women were to have the same productive resources, in agriculture, as men we would have 150 million less people suffering from malnutrition and hunger." Below is a video that was shared a couple days ago by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations celebrating International Rural Women's Day. We encourage you to watch the video linked below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe. 

Pakistan International Rural Women's Day

Discussion Points

• What did you notice from the video? Could be visual footage or text.
• What is your main takeaway from the video? What surprised you or did not surprise you?
• What role do women play in agriculture in your local area? What are the attitudes towards women in agriculture in your local area? Compare and contrast women's roles in agriculture from different parts of the world.
• It what ways can women in agriculture be empowered locally and globally? 
• As the woman in the video asks, "What do you say?"