Three Southeast Missouri men are headed to China next month to learn more about one of the major consumers of U.S. agricultural products. Andrew Blakemore of Holcomb, Jason Mayer of Dexter, and Justin Rone of Portageville are participating in the 15th class of Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT).
They leave for China July 6. "We are flying to Beijing and Yinchuan. Then we will visit various agriculture stops in the country.
"I am hoping to learn more about the Chinese culture and how their societies function. I would like to see how their farming practices compare to ours," said Mayer.
ALOT is a two year leadership program that attracts people from across the state, representing not only the rural areas of Missouri but urban areas as well.
"The program prepares us to be the next policy and decision makers in Missouri agriculture to promote our agriculture and what we stand for," said Blakemore.
ALOT enables participants to understand something important. "We realize we all are working together for the same goals. We might not seem like it.
If you're raising cattle near the Iowa border, that's different than being a cotton producer in Missouri, but you're part of the same team," he added.
ALOT is a program designed to get people involved in issues that could affect Missouri agriculture.
It consists of 26 people from across the state from varied backgrounds--row crop producers, hog producers, beef producers, bankers, and people in Ag retail business.
Members of the class meet over a two year period in various locations in Missouri to learn about that area's unique agriculture products and issues.
The class also meets in Jefferson City and Washington D.C.
"I have enjoyed participating in ALOT," said Mayer. I have gotten the opportunity to tour all parts of the state. Southeast Missouri is so unique compared to the rest of the state.
"This class has made me realize how important Ag is to the economy here in Missouri."
The ALOT group will be in China for two weeks, returning home July 21.