| Spotlight on Youth - May 12, 2010 |
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UoI students travel to Capitol Hill to study ag policy
URBANA, Ill. — In March, University of Illinois students traveled to Washington, D.C., to study current policy issues impacting U.S. agriculture, and the legislative process for developing public policies. The trip was organized through an agribusiness leadership and policy course offered by the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE). The educational trip has been offered in recent years during the spring semester.
“This unique learning opportunity allows students to directly engage our nation’s agricultural policymakers and gain real-world experiences related to agricultural policy issues being debated in Washington, D.C.,” said Ron Warfield, former president of the Illinois Farm Bureau and course instructor. “The experience cultivates policy understanding and helps students develop important leadership skills. Students who participate come from very diverse backgrounds and experience levels.”
Twenty-two students traveled to the nation’s capitol over U of I spring break. Students interacted with legislative leaders, federal agency directors, and members of the international community to discuss current policy issues and to better understand the policy-making process.
Current U.S. agricultural policy discussions focus on a wide range of issues, including emissions trading and other climate change legislation, increasing the blend rate for ethanol, bilateral trade agreements, and the federal budget deficit’s impact on U.S. agricultural programs. While on Capitol Hill, students engaged legislative leaders regarding key policy issues and visited with representatives of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and the House Agricultural Committee. They also visited offices of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Canadian Embassy, and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“While in D.C., we met with legislative leaders and agency directors to discuss an array of agricultural policy issues, including cap and trade, renewable fuels standards, and foreign policy and trade,” said Eric Donovan, U of I College of ACES agri-finance student. “Being able to meet and talk with people who work to address the concerns facing U.S. agriculture showed me just how complex all these issues are and why it is so tough to resolve them. There are not just two sides to every issue but 50 sides, with each different view just as passionate as the next.”
“Through this experience, the students learn they can personally make a difference by being engaged in public policy making, whether it’s at the local, state, or national level,” Warfield said. “Several students have gone on to public policy-related careers due to their experiences gained and interests cultivated during the class.”
The U of I Department of ACE offers several experiential learning opportunities each year through specially designed courses. During spring 2010, ACE faculty also led class trips to Sierra Leone, Guatemala, and China.
Purdue honors top ag school students
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University College of Agriculture honored its top students for the 2009-10 academic year on Sunday, April 18 during the Agriculture Awards Program in Stewart Center on the University’s West Lafayette campus.
Student honorees included:
Erin Michelle Kischuk of West Lafayette, who was recognized as Outstanding Senior. Kischuk, a biochemistry major, was the college’s Outstanding Junior in 2009 and Outstanding Freshman in 2007. Kischuk is a dean’s list student and served in several research assistant positions in biochemistry and the School of Veterinary Medicine, where she studied various genetics and disease issues. Her activities include Mortar Board, Phi Beta Kappa, President’s Leadership Class and College of Agriculture Dean’s Scholars. She founded the Biochem Buddies program and was a member of the Purdue Western Equestrian Team. She is teaching science in the Indianapolis area for Teach America. She is the daughter of Kathleen Elliott of West Lafayette and Richard Kischuk of Pendleton, Ind.
Rachel Elaine Schluttenhofer of Thorntown, Ind., who was the Outstanding Junior. Schluttenhofer, a biochemistry major, was the college’s Outstanding Sophomore in 2009. In addition to being a dean’s list honoree, Schluttenhofer was an undergraduate research intern at Purdue’s Discovery Park and spent the summer of 2009 working on subcultured insect cell lines for DowAgrosciences. She’s been involved in Dean’s Scholars, Ag Ambassadors, Leadership Development Certificate Program and a number of academic clubs, including Block and Bridle Club. Schluttenhofer is the daughter of Mike and Roberta Schluttenhofer.
Emily Lynne Hirsch of Fort Branch, Ind., who was the Outstanding Sophomore. Hirsch is an agribusiness management major and dean’s list student. She’s been a delegate to the Purdue President’s Roundtable and a member of the college’s Agricultural Council. Other activities include Agribusiness Management Club and Alpha Chi Omega. She was a sales support intern for Beck’s Hybrids during the summer of 2009, where she handled various assignments from developing the seed dealer network to conducting a phone survey. Hirsch is the daughter of Michael and Beverly Hirsch.
Gabriel Rangel of Indianapolis, who was the Outstanding Freshman. Rangel is a biochemistry major. He’s involved in the Purdue President’s Leadership Class, Boiler Green Initiative, Biochemistry Club and FEELS program, which sponsors and mentors underprivileged students with aspirations to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degrees. Rangel is a biochemistry department lab assistant this spring. He is the son of Kimbra Rangel. |
| 5/13/2010 |
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