The North Carolina Soybeans Producers Association is seeking applications for an International Leadership and Cultural Immersion program for 2022. The program is being coordinated by the IFYE (International Farm Youth Exchange) Association of the USA and made possible through a grant provided by the United Soybean Board. IFYE has been coordinating international agricultural immersion programs since 1948 and over 5,000 young adults have gone through their program.
One or two applicants from North Carolina will be selected to participate in the IFYE program for an international posting in 1-2 countries over a period of 2, 3 or 6 months. IFYE currently has host agreements with over a dozen countries in Europe and Asia. Depending on the length of stay desired, international stays can either begin mid-June or late-September 2022.
All participants will participate in an IFYE orientation in Washington, DC on June 16th-19th 2022. The international experience will begin with a multi-day briefing provided at the local embassy by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service followed by a series of activities coordinated by the US Soybean Export Council highlighting the importance of international trade in agriculture. This initiation is then followed by extended in-home stays with 1-2 (depending on length of stay) local host families, where participants will be immersed in the local culture and local language. Upon return to the US, each participant will take part in a 3 day debriefing through IFYE.
Because of USB grant funding, all participant costs, except for visa and passport expenses, are covered. Interested candidates should send a resume and a cover letter to NCSPA CEO, Owen Wagner by October 15th, 2021. The cover letter should discuss the candidates background and address how this international experience will help the applicant work toward future career aspirations. The program is geared toward university upperclassmen, graduate students and recent graduates and candidates must be at least 19 years old at the time their application is submitted. For additional information please contact Owen Wagner of the NCSPA or Alan Lambert, National Program Director for IFYE.
Agricultural supply chains are indeed global in nature and in light of that, the NCSPA Board is pleased to present this opportunity to young North Carolinians pursuing a career in agriculture.
