Foreign Attachés Explore East Coast Agriculture

FAS Administrator Phil Karsting serves Ana Dacosta, Angola’s commercial representative, a sample of honey produced at Barclay Farm in Maryland.

Buzzing pollinators, fried Oreos and award-winning livestock – this is just a glimpse of what 30 foreign diplomats saw on a recent agricultural tour to Delaware and Maryland. The trip, hosted by USDA Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse, provided 30 foreign attachés the opportunity to learn about the diversity and sustainability of American agriculture with visits to the Delaware State Fair and Barclay Farm. 

The attachés represent their home countries’ interests in Washington, D.C., far from the rural hubs of U.S. agriculture. Each year, the Foreign Agricultural Service sponsors a trip to provide them with a firsthand look at American agriculture and a chance interact with farmers, industry leaders and the agricultural community outside of our nation’s capital. 

The day began with a visit to Barclay Farm in Maryland, a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service wetland restoration site. While there, participants met with owner David Taylor to learn about Barclay Farm’s role as a haven for wildlife and pollinators. Many attachés admitted that their favorite part was a tasting of Taylor’s natural honey produced on his farm.

During lunch, the group engaged in a panel discussion about the intersections of trade, innovation and modern agriculture. The panel was moderated by Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee and offered perspectives from Phillip “Chip” Councell, a 10th-generation Maryland family farmer who serves as chairman of the U.S. Grains Council; Jennie Schmidt, a registered dietician who farms with her family on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and blogs about food and farming issues; and Terry Medley, global director of regulatory affairs and advocacy for DuPont in Wilmington, Del. The attachés discussed topics ranging from biotechnology to the benefits of agricultural trade deals. 

After lunch, everyone took a guided tour of the 97th annual Delaware State Fair. They learned how state fairs promote agricultural heritage and education through 4-H, Future Farmers of America and similar programs that encourage youth to participate in agricultural activities. Afterwards they explored the fair and sampled delicacies such as fried okra, sweet tea and sugar-coated funnel cakes.  

The day came to an end with a visit from U.S. Senator Tom Carper and U.S. Representative John Carney. Mr. Scuse thanked everyone for visiting and experiencing the diversity of American agriculture in his home state of Delaware. Senator Carper closed the trip with a speech emphasizing the importance of hospitality and the continued commitment from the United States to help feed the world. 

Despite the easygoing nature of a state fair, the day was filled with many educational opportunities and participants left with a better appreciation of U.S. farmers’ commitment to conservation and stewardship, the intersections of trade and innovation, and the diversity of American agriculture.