Cultivating the Next Generation of Agricultural Professionals

In September, UC Davis International Programs welcomed 20 high school students from Sartor Agricultural Institute in Castelfranco, an agricultural town in Northern Italy. The students, ages 16 to 18, traveled to the U.S. to participate in the three-week International Agriculture Program. Students were funded by the European Union to attend this custom program, which focuses on supporting and preparing them for careers in agriculture.  

This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the best for me.”  

During the program, students were exposed to cutting-edge research, farming methods used in the U.S., English agricultural terminology, the farm-to-table industry, hot topics in agriculture, different specialties within the industry, and available education and career paths. Students had the opportunity to hear presentations from UC researchers and UC Davis educators, and tour campus labs, fields and greenhouses.  

I would recommend this program to my friends because it was a very useful and fun experience. I improved my English and made new friends.”  

Founded in 1908 as a research and science-based instruction university, UC Davis is home to many agricultural sites, which the students were able to visit, including the Bohart Museum of Entomology, the Botanical Conservatory featuring several greenhouses with plants from around the world, the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven and the UC Davis Student Collaborative Organic Plant Breeding Education project. Students also took a trip to the City of Davis’ Farmers Market and Farmboy Organics, a family-run farm located just outside of Davis. During these site visits, students were able to interact with farmers, researchers and faculty members, increasing their exposure to the diversity and range of agricultural practices.