From the Canadian Prairies to China
- Fiona Jochum
- Jul 25, 2017
- 2 min read
Today I am saying bye to rural Manitoba and heading across the Pacific to China. It all started back in May when I saw a note in the 4-H newsletter about a Global Vision trade mission to China. Since I love taking advantage of opportunities to explore the world I decided to apply to be the Junior Team Canada Agriculture Ambassador. If you want to check out my application video you can find it here. (Thank you to my youngest sister Shavaughn for operating the video camera).
So then one afternoon, as I was seeding canola, I got a call from Gatineau Quebec…Global Vision wanted me on their team! I was so excited! And then I realized I had to raise $6,000 for Global Vision to facilitate the trade mission….it seemed pretty daunting at first, but I am so grateful to have the support of my local community and larger agriculture network. Shout-out to the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, the Manitoba Canola Growers, Monsanto Canada Inc., Manitoba Agriculture, the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, Viterra, MNP, Bourgault, Canterra Seeds, and AgWest for Partnering with Global Vision and making it possible for me, and 30 young adults from across Canada, to participate in an experience of a life time!
Now, ‘What is a trade mission?’ you might ask. To clarify, it is has nothing to do with church, as some of you have assumed. A trade mission is about building relationships between countries to develop an understanding of how you can work together and trade for the benefit of both countries. On this particular trade mission with Global Vision I hope to learn more about China’s agriculture industry, understand consumer tastes and preferences with respect to agriculture products, become more aware of Chinese culture, promote Canadian agriculture and agri-food products, and strengthen producer-consumer relationships. The next question you may have is “How are you going to achieve all this?”. Well I guess you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out!
Over the next two and a half weeks I will be traveling through Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Hong Kong. If you are interested in following my adventure with Global Vision I invite you to subscribe to my blog. I will try to update it regularly and keep you entertained with my experiences and learning!
Thanks for reading, till next time! :)
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