Agricultural Trade and Prosperity: A Project for Côte d'Ivoire

From December 3rd to 6th, we hosted a delegation from Côte d'Ivoire. The group of international leaders were in eastern Iowa for an IVLP program titled “Agricultural Trade and Prosperity.” Their time in Iowa aimed to introduce the delegation to innovative U.S. agricultural technologies and approaches to integrating agriculture into broader economic development. 

The group arrived at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and were greeted by a special welcome message in French. After arriving at their hotel, they had the rest of the evening to relax before programming the next day.  

They began the first morning in Cedar Rapids with a luncheon meeting with Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance President & CEO Juliet Abdel, Public Policy Strategist Barbra Solberg, New Leader Manufacturing Executive Director of Shared Services Andi Riem, and Feed Iowa First Equitable Land Access Program Director Alora Kraus. They were accompanied by Executive Director Amy Alice Chastain and Program and Development Fellow Peyton Pangburn. 

After lunch, the delegation, with volunteer Amanda Potterfield, had a meeting with staff members from the Iowa Congressional Representatives’ offices representing Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Joni Ernst, and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. 

The delegation then had a meeting with faculty and staff from Kirkwood Community College. Director of International Programs Dawn Wood, Dean of Agricultural Sciences and Hospitality Arts Brad Kinsinger, and Associate Professor Joshua Henik talked about Kirkwood Community College programs that prepare students for a broad range of careers in Agriculture Business and Agriculture Production Management. The meeting also included dynamic facility tours and was attended by International Student Services Specialist Elizabeth O’Brien. 

After their meetings, the delegation attended separate Iowa Table Dinners hosted by Julie Bradley and Lynn Ouedraogo. They enjoyed an evening of engaging conversation over homecooked meals. 

The next morning, Amy Alice accompanied the delegation to their meeting in Fairfield, Iowa, with Ed Malloy and the Grow Fairfield Economic Development Association. The association facilitates economic growth through public-private partnerships. Ed invited professionals from Jefferson County Iowa Government and John Deere as additional resources. Afterwards, the delegation had a city tour including a visit to the International Small Works Show pop-up art exhibit curated by Stacey Kitakis, a tour of the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center with Mayor Connie Boye, and lunch at Addis Ethiopian Cuisine. 

After lunch, they met with FarrPro Founder & CEO Amos Petersen, who also invited Dr. James Wetzel, Founder & CEO of Animal Lamps LLC and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physics at Coe College, to speak at the meeting. The companies’ technology and innovative solutions are utilized by the top pork producers in the United States to prevent disease outbreaks, reduce antibiotics, track breeding cycles, and more. 

The delegation flew out of Iowa the following afternoon bound for the next part of their program in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their time in Iowa was very informative. 

Thank you to volunteers Amanda Potterfield, Julie Bradley, Lynn Ouedraogo, Amy Alice Chastain, and Peyton Pangburn for volunteering with this delegation! Your time and hospitality did not go unappreciated by the delegation!  

Additionally, thank you to the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Iowa Congressional Staff, Kirkwood Community College, Grow Fairfield Economic Development Association, Animal Lamps, and FarrPro for being our professional resources for this program! We could not connect the world and the heartland without the time, knowledge, and expertise of our volunteers and professional resources.