Four students from Kansas State University participated in the Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program, traveling to Taiwan from August 8-16, 2025. This exchange aims to provide students with insights into Taiwan’s agricultural sector and strengthen economic ties between Kansas and Taiwan through agricultural exports.
Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, Ag Marketing Division Director at the Kansas Department of Agriculture, emphasized the program’s impact: “During their time in Taiwan, these students gained new global perspectives, learned how to navigate cultural differences, and communicated across language barriers.” She added that such experiences enhance their competitiveness in the job market and prepare them for leadership roles in addressing global challenges.
The participating students were Preston Dunn from St. John, Anna Koch from Rose Hill, Madison Seyb from Johnson, and Grace Young from Osawatomie. Dana Ladner, Compliance Education and Workforce Development Coordinator at KDA, accompanied them. During their visit, they engaged with local university students at National Chung Hsing University and met with the Director General of the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also toured various agricultural sites.
Grace Young shared her experience: “From dragon fruit farms and hydroponic systems to tea research stations and meat processing facilities, I learned so much about how farming looks in a different part of the world.” She believes programs like this inspire future leaders to think globally. Preston Dunn highlighted his visits to meat processing facilities as particularly insightful: “I also found it especially meaningful to hear a farmer share how he is innovating to attract young people back to agriculture.”
The program is coordinated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver. It is sponsored by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Kansas State University College of Agriculture, and KDA. In 2024, Kansas exported $209 million worth of agricultural products to Taiwan [https://www.kansascommerce.gov/international-trade/], making it the state’s sixth-largest agricultural trading partner.
Each fall, KDA manages applications for this exchange program for college students interested in participating. For further details, contact Dana Ladner at KDA via phone or email.
Information from this article can be found here.
