The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council had the privilege of hosting three men from Taiwan for a week this past July as a part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. The visitors explored themes centered around U.S. agricultural trade and food safety, and their project focused on the forces that shape agricultural policy and competitiveness, how food commodities are marketed and regulated, and sanitation measures taken by the World Trade Organization.
Councilman Charles Bare welcomed the visitors to Pensacola, introduced city history, and discussed the structure of the City Council. He also surprised the visitors with honorary citizenship certificates to the city from Mayor Ashton Hayward III.
On the topic of trade, visitors met with Frank Lenox, Port Director of the Port of Pensacola, and Manny Villaverde of Agricultural Inspections to learn about the history of northwest Florida’s leading deep water port. They also explained the processes required to complete thorough inspections of imports and discussed the role of the port on the local economy.
The visitors then moved inland to meet with Lieutenant Mark Burke of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to discuss the precautionary measures and inspections that take place on Florida interstates and highways. At an agricultural interdiction site visit with the Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, Officers S. Day, T. Meadors, and C. Stray demonstrated exactly how interdiction sites operate and contribute to agricultural trade and food safety in Florida.
The three also explored agriculture, natural resources, nutrition education, cottage food industries, sea grant work, Future Farmers of America, and curriculum for the 4-H program at Escambia Extension. Jenny Savely, Lydia Weaver, Angela Hinkle, Dorothy Lee, Rick O’Connor, and their colleagues provided an extensive investigation of these topics, and the visitors appreciated the knowledge and time they shared.
Discovery continued while visiting local cotton/peanut and cattle operations with Escambia County Extension Service Agent Libbie Johnson who explained how smaller farms compete and operate differently given different resources, size, and markets. At two farm visits, Brett Ward and Mike Koehn discussed traditional farming, modern machinery, pest control, and farming apps which help increase productivity and Mrs. Koehn invited the group into their house with homemade cinnamon rolls. At site visit to Joe Patti’s Seafood Company, the focus was on food safety issues. The visitors asked questions about family-run businesses in the United States and small vendor inspection and safety management. Time at all three venues gave our guests the opportunity to learn more about the realities of small scale business in the food industry.
The visit wasn’t entirely filled with meetings as over the weekend the three enjoyed a cruise to watch bottle-nosed dolphins in their natural habitat. Supporter Pamela Caudill volunteered her Sunday to drive the group to the National Naval Aviation Museum where Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council member and museum volunteer Kent DeSantis gave them all a behind-the-scenes tour. Debbie & Mike Layton also graciously offered their home for a host dinner one evening. The group was so pleased to have dinner in an American home!
None of this would have been possible without members who contribute to citizen diplomacy efforts in so many ways. The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council thanks all for their continued commitment and generosity.
You can explore the group’s project in photos here.
