Manhattan, Kan. – The 2014 Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is currently accepting applications from high school seniors or college freshmen who are passionate about agriculture and are interested in representing Kansas in a week-long exchange program in December 2014.
Each year the National Taichung Agricultural Senior High School in central Taiwan hosts students from the Midwest for this program. Selected students will tour agricultural facilities and businesses in Taiwan, and will learn about Taiwanese agriculture. It is anticipated this program will take place in early to mid-December, but travel dates are still being determined.
Exports play an important role in Kansas agriculture, according to Euromonitor, in 2013 Kansas exported just over $117 million in agricultural goods to Taiwan including beef, oil seeds, cereal grains and wheat flour. Globally, in 2012 exports of farm and ranch products contributed nearly $4.9 billion to the Kansas economy.
“The Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is a tremendous opportunity for students who are passionate about agriculture. This program provides students with active learning and travel experiences. Students are able to return home from Taiwan and inspire their peers to be agricultural activists,” said Kerry Wefald, Marketing Director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Three students will be selected to represent Kansas. In order to be eligible to apply, students must be the following requirements:
- Be a high school senior or college freshmen;
- Be at least 18 years of age by the beginning of the trip;
- Have a strong Kansas agricultural background;
- Have a valid US passport at time of application; and
- Able and willing to pay for airfare costs (approximately $1,050).
Applications must be submitted by October 1 for the student to be considered. Students interested in applying should reference the 2014 Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program Opportunity webpage for more details. The application requirements can be found at here. The coordination of the program is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the Kansas FFA Association and Kansas 4-H.
For more information, contact KDA Education and Events Coordinator, Nellie Hill, at [email protected] or 785-564-6756.
