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NCTA has opened its doors to the worldNebraska The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis has opened its doors to the world. In late September, four Worldwide Farmers Exchange students arrived on campus to begin an agricultural experience in the United States that will provide knowledge and practice students will then be able to use in their home countries. Kodzotze Agbessi, who goes by David, represents Togo. Agbessi is working with Agra International's branch in Togo: Agra Togo Agency. His purpose for participating in the WFE is to begin to develop ideas to start a business plan that will help his country become more independent. "Togo has been experiencing a food crisis," Agbessi said. "We have land and resources, but we need a plan to be more independent from importing." NCTA and WFE provided a place for Agbessi to learn more about agribusiness in order to help develop such a plan. This plan will provide more access to food and jobs in Togo. The management and finance aspects of agriculture that Agbessi has been learning at NCTA have been some of the most important aspects of his participation. Williams Besong of Cameroon is using the WFE program to broaden his agricultural knowledge. He commented that his country probably would not see major changes soon within its agricultural economy, but went on to say, "We are really learning a lot because just being here, we are incurring a lot of knowledge that can bring change to our countries." Whether that change comes within the next 20 or 30 years, Besong felt the opportunity to learn with NCTA and WFE could also benefit his country. Fabio Branco of Brazil has been in the United States with WFE for about a year, working in various areas of agriculture, including a dairy in Wisconsin and a farm in Oklahoma. His main interest as he learns is the technology and mechanical elements of farming. NCTA is providing him with more hands-on experience with these farming components. Ace de Leon comes from the Philippines. He noted that the significant difference between agriculture in the US from that of the Philippines is in the equipment used. "We (in the Philippines) work more with our hands." NCTA and the WFE are striving to ensure that each of the students participating in this program leave with extensive knowledge of the US agriculture industry. Each of these students are staying one month at NCTA before heading out to stay with host families around the United States for a year. During their time at NCTA, the young men are participating in a program created specifically for WFE students. Each student is taking multiple courses while at NCTA, ranging from basic English and cultural awareness to management concepts and entrepreneurship. WFE students also have multiple tours of agricultural businesses throughout the state scheduled, including cooperatives, farms during harvest, and dairy, cattle, and even pumpkin operations. After they leave NCTA, they will continue to take online courses as continued participation in the Entrepreneurship in Agriculture Program that is offered by NCTA and WFE. The international students are becoming more aware of the agricultural concepts within the United States and are providing valuable insight about their own experiences to instructors and students at NCTA. The four men often explain their home-lifestyles to instructors and have been invited to speak at classes while attending NCTA. This experience enriches WFE students' lives with knowledge to take home and at the same time provides international insights to NCTA faculty and students. NCTA is excited to provide opportunities for cultural awareness to both students from other countries and students on-campus in Curtis. This awareness is vital within a global economy. For more information concerning this program, contact the NCTA Worldwide Farmers Exchange office at 1-800-3CURTIS. 10/27/08 Date: 11/14/08
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