I-CAL: Ouro Preto, Mina Jeje Mine

Yet again what a wonderful day in Brazil!

After our traditional hotel breakfast of fruit, cheese, bread and of course coffee, we left our wonderful, slightly under construction hotel in Ponte Nova for the beautiful historical city of Ouro Preto. Upon arrival we enjoyed, yet again, more coffee and some decedent hot chocolate at Cafeteria E Livraria which opened up to the bustling cobble stone streets. We were joined by a tour guide to help show us around the charming city founded in the 1600s which used to be the nation’s capital. The city is known for its mining, especially gold, as the state of Minas Gerais itself translates to “general mines”.

After our delicious cups of hot chocolate and coffee, we headed to the historic military church of Ouro Preto.  In the city there are many churches, which served the different social and racial classes of the past.  For example, there was a rich Portuguese church and a poor Portuguese church.  The church we visited, known as São Francisco de Assis was built from 1765-1810.  The intricately designed artwork was finished by 1825.  In the church, there are countless paintings, statues, and engravings some completed miraculously by a famous crippled artist, Aleijadinho.  Along with the beautiful relief artwork, which gave the impression that the sculpted material was raised above the background, there was gold galore!  Next we headed to a mine of Ouro Preto.

Our tour guide took us through the winding, steep cobblestone roads to the Mina Jeje Mine, Mina De Euro Sec XVlll, one of the first mines in the city. There we learned that a whole family, even down to the 5 year-old, could be paid labor in the mines.  We also learned about different minerals used for paint, which were very vibrant copper toned colors.  We ventured further into the mine with our little miner caps to see the first site where they struck gold!  It was also interesting to learn that there were many jewels found before the miners actually struck gold.  The jewels and gold found their way to places like the Philippines and China where they were likely used in porcelain and jewelry.

I-CAL: Sugar and Swine

Good evening, All!

We once again had a great day in Brazil!  What an awesome experience we have been having!  Warm and mild weather, shining sun, great people, and even greater food have been treating us well this far!!  We are staying in Ponte Nova and have been able to enjoy this city to the fullest.

This morning we visited and toured a sugar mill, of which the smell was very close to corn silage (welcome home!).  This mill, Jatiboca, was founded in 1920 and is made up of two units.  The first unit was the location we were at and the second being in Sao Paulo.  The mill was family owned and operated until 1997 when they hired out the administration for the company.  A brief introduction to each location is as follows:

Location 1 (The one we visited)- 800,000 million ton crushing capacity, 84% of sugar cane is from their own production land with 16% coming from independent farmers, 1.1million bags of sugar per year (50 kilo bags), 32 million liters of ethanol produced annually which is added to fuel and then sold (not directly to customers) and is 100% manually harvested.

Location 2- 300,000 million ton crushing capacity, 99% of sugar cane is from their own production land with the remainder from independent growers, 100% goes into ethanol resulting in 30 million liters of ethanol annually.  35% mechanical and 65% manual harvesting.

General mill information- Bags of sugar are marketed in 30, 5, 2, and 1 kilo bags and each mill is self- sustaining, meaning bi-products are reused as fertilizer as well as energy for the plant.  Jatiboca employs 2,000 people.  The company is devoted to environmental sustainability and has set aside a large piece of land which has been exclusively devoted to remaining in natural habitat forever.  In order for workers to get minimum wage, they must harvest 3 tons of sugar cane per day with 5.5 tons being the average.

I-CAL: Eucalytus, Dairy and Pork

Our early morning bus naps lasted only until hills planted in orderly rows of eucalyptus began flashing by. Alfredo explained that this nonnative tree can be harvested five or six times for various products from timber to essential oils. Depending on the density of the stand, crops, such as soybeans or coffee can be grown between the rows. This method is another example of agroforestry, which we discussed yesterday in the context of research in the dairy industry.

Got Milk? Brazil does! The first visit of the day was conducted at the Embrapa dairy research farm. While on the 1,030 hectare farm, we took a firsthand look at the dairy industry in Brazil. About 45% of the farm is forest land with the balance of acreage under till and pasture. Dairies in Brazil use a pasture based system with harvested forages as a supplement. Several tropical grasses that originate from Africa are used throughout Brazil as forage that is stored and grazed upon by cattle. Research is done on forage at this location in addition to the dairy cattle.

The Embrapa research facilities try to simulate normal industry conditions in order to provide research that will benefit farmers who have dairy operations. The facility we saw was one of five milking stations on the premises. It had a double four swing herringbone parlor to milk cows in. Corn silage was stored in a pair of silos and was fed in a fence line bunk to the dairy cows. The cows were Holstein crossed with Gir cattle. These cattle are bred specifically for high production in a tropical climate.

I-CAL: The journey begins

And we are off…

The day we all had been waiting for had finally arrived. After several months of planning and preparing, it was time to cross the Caribbean Sea to our anticipated destination- Brazil.

Group leader, Lindsey Calhoun, said it best that morning when she said, “I can’t believe the day is finally here.”

The group spent the afternoon in Midtown Miami purchasing last minute items and exploring the city’s shops. For lunch, we ate at Five Guys Burgers and Yogoberry. A first time taste for some I-CAL members.

Anticipation and nerves rose as we boarded the shuttle from the Holiday Inn to the Miami International Airport. With passports and boarding passes in hand, we handed over our luggage and prepared to pass through security. While standing in line, Florida Senator, Marco Rubio, passed our group, and Clint got Rubio’s signature on the back of his boarding pass.

We boarded the American Airlines plane and snuggled in for our five hour plane ride to Manaus, Brazil. The group watched the red colored sunset through side windows as we dined on either a turkey sandwich or taco salad. The rest of the flight was filled with movie watching and much needed rest for the adventures that lied ahead.

We hit the landing strip in Manaus at 10:30 p.m. and after a short wait in the customs line we all added a stamp to our passports. Brazil, we finally made it! Next stop: Rio de Janiero.

National FFA Update with CEO Dwight Armstrong, April 2013

In this month’s National FFA Update,  Dwight Armstrong talks about our FFA GO: Africa program and this year’s trip to Burkina Faso.

Junior level and  above (as of  fall 2013) Collegiate FFA members are eligible.

The trip is made possible by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

Apply now for life-changing trip to Burkina Faso

On June 20, 2013, six upper-level collegiate FFA members will gather to begin a nineteen-day experience learning firsthand about the challenges of life and agriculture in one of the world’s poorest countries, Burkina Faso, as part of the FFA Global Outreach: Africa program (FFA GO: Africa).

Junior-level and above collegiate FFA members (as of fall 2013) are eligible to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Download the FFA GO: Africa application.

Following an orientation in Washington, DC, the team and their adult leader will fly to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, to learn about the life-sustaining development work that Catholic Relief Services and its partners are doing throughout the country.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in the heart of the Sahel region of Africa. With most of the economy engaged in mining and agriculture, especially cotton, Burkina Faso’s economy is highly susceptible to fluctuations in world commodity prices and natural disasters. Since most farmers engage in subsistence farming, recurring prolonged droughts and severe floods have led to widespread food shortages. In addition, current instability in Mali has led to an influx of refugees, adding to the populations’ already vulnerable state. Coupled with limited access to health care and education, it is difficult for most Burkinabé to meet even their most basic needs.

Agriculture Ambassador applications are now available

Are you a college student studying agriculture?

Do you have a passion for spreading the good word about the industry?

Applications are now available for the 2013-2014 Collegiate FFA Agriculture Ambassador team!

Selected students are trained to give presentations and facilitate workshops to audiences of all ages who are interested in learning more about the agriculture industry.

Want to apply? Please review the FAQs prior to beginning the process.

Then, when you’re ready, complete the application.

Applications are due on Wednesday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Don’t delay–get started today!

Only one week left to apply for New Century Farmer!

Watch this video to see some highlights from last year’s New Century Farmer conference.

In today’s global economy, farming is an exciting, fast-paced, and high-tech career. The New Century Farmer conference helps college students develop their careers in production agriculture by providing them with an opportunity to advance their:

• Entrepreneurial leadership skills
• Practical knowledge
• Visioning
• Global perspective
• Personal growth

There’s only one week left to apply for this amazing opportunity! Application are due on Friday, March 15.

Go to www.ffa.org/ncf to find out how to apply.

The New Century Farmer conference is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, Case IH, CSX Corporation, and Farm Credit with media partner Successful Farming, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Calling all New Century Farmers!

Are you a college student who is pursuing a career in the exciting, high-tech and fast-paced field of production agriculture?

Apply to attend the 2013 New Century Farmer Conference for the chance to advance your skills and knowledge!
Fifty selected students will receive an all-expense paid trip to Des Moines, Iowa, where they will network with industry experts, attend workshops and session, participate in industry tours, and so much more.

Applications are due on Friday, March 15th at 5p.m. EST.

Please review the FAQ prior to beginning the application process.

If you have any questions please contact Lindsey Calhoun at lcalhoun@ffa.org or 317-802-4263.

The New Century Farmer conference is sponsored by Pioneer – A Dupont Company, Case IH, CSX Corporation, and Farm Credit with media partner Successful Farming, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

College students: Study global ag in Brazil through our I-CAL program

Curious lambs in Brazil.
Photo by Brian Richardson, via Wikimedia Commons.

Collegiate FFA is now accepting applications for its 2013 International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership (I-CAL) program.

FFA will take 12 college students pursuing degrees in the agricultural field to Brazil this spring, tentatively scheduled from May 19-June 1.

The educational program will allow selected students the opportunity to study global agriculture and international marketing. Students will learn about current international trade and cultural issues and gain awareness of how international markets for agricultural products operate. Upon completion of the program, students will give educational presentations to local groups and organizations about their experiences.

The I-CAL program was developed as a partnership with the U.S. Grains Council and the Grains Foundation.

Students do not have to have prior FFA experience to apply. But, they do need to have been a member of one of the following organizations:

• Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow
• Agriculture Future of America
• Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity
• Alpha Gamma Sigma Fraternity
• Alpha Tau Alpha
• Alpha Zeta
• Block and Bridle
• Collegiate 4-H
• Collegiate FFA
• Farm House Fraternity
• Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences
• National Agri-Marketing Association
• National Agricultural Alumni Directors Association
• Postsecondary Agricultural Student Organization
• Professional Landcare Network
• Sigma Alpha

The deadline for I-CAL applications is 5 p.m. EST Jan. 30. Applicants can learn more about the program and download an application form at http://www.FFA.org/Collegiate.