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. 

Djibouti School Gardens

With projects we implement around the globe we often include youth. The video below highlights a project implementing school gardens and hydroponics in rural Djibouti in East Africa to empower youth. You are invited to watch and reflect on the discussion points below with others from around the globe. 

School gardens and hydroponics 

Discussion Points

• Of the innovative practices shared in this video which do you feel has the greatest potential positive impact and why?
• Do you believe it is important to focus on agricultural education for youth? Explain your reasoning.
• What could you learn from this project in Djibouti that could be implemented in your home region?

Acute Hunger on the Rise

Many will agree that the last year has provided great challenges for many. Challenges around hunger have been magnified in some parts of the world. Recently a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Programme was released highlighting the challenges facing our world regarding "hunger hotspots." We invite you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to encourage conversations with others.

Acute hunger set to soar in over 20 countries

Discussion Points

• What from this article stuck with you or surprised you? Why?
• There were several key drivers of acute food insecurity that were shared. Which do you feel provides the greatest threat to food security and why?
• Of the threat you identified what are potential solutions? How do we create change?
• There seemed to be great focus on immediate aid which is needed. How do we work towards more sustainable change and improvement over a long period of time? 

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?