AALP's Blog (118)

AALP Class 14 had an early start to our day as we made our way to the city of Pune. Pune is a growing city of over 5 million people. (…

After an early breakfast we left Mumbai for a 3.5 hour drive to tour Syngenta Foundation Villages located at Jawahar in the Thane District. The drive took us up into the arid hills through many small villages. Although the fields were bare now, this district is a traditional rice growing area in the monsoon season from June to September.  In the dry season villagers make…

Rested!  AALP Class 14 finally got to wake up from a full night’s sleep in beds that didn't flutter over land and sea, or wobble down a track.  Feeling refreshed we met with our first guide of the day, a wonderful woman who had worked with Mother Theresa, has a Masters in Social Work and who passionately loves showing visitors around her city of Mumbai. Our tour was a…

Sunday, February 17 & Monday, February 18, 2013

AALP Class 14 arrived at Pearson International Airport on time for departure on our International Study Tour to India.  After a short delay everyone was eager to get started on our trip.  The first leg took us to Brussels where we were informed we were…

Each class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) includes two study tours as part of the curriculum – one in North America, and one involving international travel. These study tours give participants the opportunity to gain an even broader perspective and understanding of regional/national/ international issues and their…

It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of our AALP Class 14 North American Study Tour today.

Our way home north started with a stop in…

Friday the 13^th, Day 8

Will and Marian led us to the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC for a briefing from the Counsellor (Agriculture), Economic and Trade Policy. Arriving at the Embassy was much like crossing the border – a security screening and random passport check, all very pleasant, no issues. Dressed in our…

Not far from the Liberty Bell in the heart of Philadelphia is the Reading Terminal Market.

Rich in history, this “urban farmers' market” is home to 77 owner-operated businesses that provide a wide variety of food products ranging from local produce to meat, dairy, fish and baked goods.  As well…

We were off to a comfortable start this morning, with Dave the bus driver ready to roll at 8:30 headed for the Wye research station. Once there we met Dr. Russell Brinsfield and Ken Staver who briefed us on the watershed issues surrounding the Chesapeake estuary, the body of fresh water with the largest land to water…

We welcome a lost sheep back to the fold

Michel Dignard, who could not be with us for the first three days of the tour met us in Newark and we are all very happy he did make it for the balance of the program.  Our bus left Newark this morning with a full schedule of visits to a number of organic and sustainable agricultural operations in…

After an exciting evening in Soho for some and the musical Chicago on Broadway for others, the group set out to experience the Bronx. Our first stop was to meet with Myra Gordon, the Executive Director of the Hunts Point Produce Market. The Hunts Point Produce Market sits on 113 acres of land and…

AALP loves NY!

After passing through…

From Ithaca to New York City (via Scranton, PA)

AALP Class 14 woke up in Ithaca, NY to a much more comfortable ambient temperature than we experienced the previous…

AALP Class 14's North American Study Tour began at the Rural Ontario Institute office, at the  EastGen facility Guelph where we boarded our bus. After a quick stop to pick up some of our remaining classmates in Niagara-on-the-Lake we were back on the…

Each class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) includes two study tours as part of the curriculum – one in North America, and one involving international travel. These study tours give participants the opportunity to gain an even broader perspective and understanding of regional/national/ international issues and their interrelationships.

AALP Class…

Today we had an amazing opportunity to tour Chaa Creek with its owner Mick Flemming. Chaa Creek is a leading eco destination in Belize that has strong roots in agriculture (www.chaacreek.com) Mick arrived with his wife, Lucy, in 1977 with $300 in his pocket, which was just the beginning of their story here in Belize.

Starting…

Power to Women. We had a very unique cultural experience this morning when we visited the Garifuna School and Museum in Dangriga. The Garifuna are a people of African-Caribbean descent and while the Garifuna make up 30% of the population of Belize, the culture, music and language are being lost to English and North American culture. Phyllis Taremaro, the founder of the school…