After becoming fascinated by international agriculture following a faculty-led tour to Greece in summer of 2016, I wanted nothing more than to travel abroad again.
This time, however, I joined a program that completely folded into my agricultural communications major. During the past summer, I traveled to England and Scotland on Dr. Miller’s agriculture communications faculty-led tour. And to put it simply, this trip was a perfect fit.
I have always had a personal goal of being a strong advocate for agriculture. The possibility of meeting agriculturists across the globe, making myself more credible to speak for the agriculture industry, and taking part in the culture of another country are all opportunities that enhance my academic, personal, and professional goals. These are expectations that I had when we left for Glasgow on May 24, 2017. Little did I know, they would be far surpassed.
Upon landing in Glasgow, we immediately changed into business clothes and loaded into buses headed towards the Scottish Farmer. During the two-week trip, we visited two other agriculture publications as well: The Farmer’s Guardian and Farmers Weekly. These visits provided us with the time and outlet to ask the writers and editors what tactics they are using to combat misconceptions about the agriculture industry. The biggest theme I witnessed was that agriculturalists in the United Kingdom are struggling with a huge disconnect between producers and consumers. However, the speaker at Farmers Weekly expressed that he believed the disconnect had plateaued in the United Kingdom and is improving.
Besides agriculture publications, we also went on multiple farm tours. From the research farm of Scotland’s Rural College to a sheep farm in the hills, we gained insight from a variety of producers. The history was incredibly rich; one farm in Tamworth has a barn which is still supported by the original beams built in 1716 (see below).
The trip was largely focused on agriculture, but you can’t take a trip to the United Kingdom without seeing some of the traditional tourist sights. In Edinburgh, we toured the castle and ventured to St. Andrews. In Bath, we visited the Roman Baths. On our way to London, we visited Stonehenge. And in London, we went up in the London Eye.
Every part of the itinerary was incredible, but if I had to pick one day to repeat I would go back to day 8. We traveled south to Somerset for a day at the Royal Bath & West Show – imagine a state fair, but a classier, English version.
As a Simmental cattle producer from the United States, the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly when I was able to talk to the owner of Dinton Simmentals. I showed Mr. Dinton photos of my Simmental cattle and we were able to talk about the differences. Being able to speak to a fellow Simmental producer 3,000 miles from home is something I will never forget.
