New Meaning and Alumnus Article

The recent tragic events, the death of the US Ambassador and three others at the US Embassy in Libya give new meaning and reflections on the time MARL Class VI spent at the US Embassy in Rabat, Morocco. US Ambassador to Morocco, Sam Kaplan and his wife, Sylvia were wonderful hosts as we dined with them in their home and shared their vision for helping to foster good relations between the US and Morocco. Our sympathies and support reach out to those involved in these violent events. May our national leaders find ways to mend and build relationships in the days ahead.

The Duluth News Tribune published a wonderful article about MARL Alumnus Dave Chura. It is well written and depicts an alumnus who is living and demonstrating MARL leadership principles. Thank you and congratulations, Dave.You can view the article by clicking on the link below.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/242937/publisher_ID/36/

New Zealand-Detination for the 2013 MARL Alumni International Trip

Kia ora!

Pack your gummies, jandals, togs, and sunnies for a choice OE!

The 2013 MARL Alumni trip to New Zealand spends 10 days in New Zealand, with an optional extension to Australia!

The trip departs Minneapolis and arrives in Los Angeles, where we'll enjoy a city tour aboard a private charter bus - no sitting around in the airport all day for us! After the tour is done, we'll board our direct flight to Auckland, New Zealand.

Haere mai (Welcome)

Auckland is located in the northern part of the North Island. We will start our adventure with a city tour, including a trip to an extinct volcano. We'll also enjoy a harbor cruise to nearby Waiheke Island, where we will visit a leading vineyard for wine tasting and a tour. We make our way south, traveling through the "milk bowl of New Zealand" and visit a dairy farm with 800 cows. Next, we get to visit an organic orchard producing one of New Zealand's signature products: kiwifruit! We continue to Rotorua, a hotbed of geothermal activity and home to Maori culture. Here, we will participate in a traditional Maori supper and concert. We'll enjoy interactive presentations at the Agrodome, highlighting the sheep and wool industry. At Rainbow Springs, we'll have the chance to see the rare Kiwi bird. We'll visit a livestock farm for a traditional "kiwi" barbecue. Before departing for the South Island, we will spend time at a 1200-head deer farm (did you know New Zealand is the largest producer and exporter of farm-raised venison in the world?)

We fly to Christchurch on the South Island, where we'll see beautiful gardens and landscaping in the "Garden City". We will stop at a livestock ranch, and then try to spot marine animals during a harbor cruise. We'll visit with staff and professors at Lincoln University - only one of two agricultural universities in the country! We'll also tour the University's dairy farm. As we continue south, we will pass through beautiful scenery and hopefully get a view of the mountain ranges. We will learn about raising salmon, and visit vineyards, orchards, and livestock ranches. We will have a city tour of Queenstown and Arrowtown, a historic gold-mining town. Maybe some daredevils will take the plunge when we visit the birthplace of bungy-jumping! Before leaving New Zealand, we will relax with one last wine-tasting and farewell dinner.

When we leave New Zealand, we'll fly from Queenstown to Auckland, then directly to San Francisco, and then to Minneapolis. People opting for the Australia extension will fly from Queenstown to Sydney. The Australia portion will stay in the Sydney area, and participants will spend time in the Blue Mountains, visit a cattle ranch, and enjoy a Sydney Harbour cruise.

Not convinced yet? This will be a little more relaxed than the typical MARL trip. We've kept in mind that we'll have a mix of couples and individuals, so we've tried to include a variety of activities - a little something for everyone. We've planned free time for exploring, shopping, relaxing on the beach, or other on-your-own activities.

If you still aren't sure, check out YouTube - just type in "New Zealand" and you'll get plenty of results! Or look at these websites:

 

http://www.newzealand.com/us/

http://www.destination-nz.com/

http://www.tourism.net.nz/

And if you're still wondering what the heck the first few sentances mean, learn New Zealand slange here:

http://www.destination-nz.com/new-zealand-info/live-kiwi/learn-basic-kiwi-ese

COSTS

New Zealand: $5,100 / person

With Australia extension: $7,300 / person (subject to change until airfare is booked and number of people is known)

Keep in mind: $250 deposit per person is due September 1.

I am intentionally not listing the dates - please contact Kristie Swenson for more information: KristieSwenson@gmail.com



 

Smiles-MARL 2012 Farmfest Reunion, Social and Meal

Smiles were everywhere as MARL Alumni and Friends of MARL gathered at the Bruce and Ann Tiffany Home for the annual MARL Farmfest Reunion, Social and Meal on Wednesday, August 8. About 130 people were in attendance for the evening. MARL Alumni and Friends of MARL took turns packaging food for "Kids Against Hunger". By the end of the evening much fun, fellowship and charity had occurred. In fact all were delighted that 8,424 meals were packaged for the "Kids Against Hunger" project. In addition those in atendance donated several hundred dollars to the "Kids Against Hunger" project. Once again MARL people demonstrated their leadership and ability to make a difference.

Thank you to MARL hosts Bruce and Ann Tiffany and all who participated.

8,424 meals were packaged for "Kids Against Hunger"

Smiles added to the fun as participants took a break from the activities for dinner.

More

AURI www.auri.org/ has invited Minnesota Ag and Rural Leadership (MARL) to join them in their exhibit tent at Farmfest on August 7, 8 and 9. MARL has graciously accepted their offer. Please make plans to visit the tent to say hi to our friends at AURI and gather at the MARL table to reminisce with MARL Alumni and others. We do need MARL Alumni to staff the table for a one hour shift and will have a sign up opportunity at the end of July.
Bruce and Ann Tiffany are planning to host MARL Friends and Alumni at their farm near Farmfest on August 8. Mark your calendars and look for more details soon.

Late breaking news...The November MARL Class VII kick off seminar and orientation will be held in Willmar.

MARL Class VI Representative to the MARL Board Kirby Hettver and MARL Executive Director Dan Hoffman met with the Minnesota Corn Growers Association's www.mncorn.org/ Producer Services Committee in Shakopee this week. Kirby and Dan thanked them for being generous funding partners and shared MARL happenings.

KSMQ "Farm Connections" is beginning a new season and will include an episode exploring MARL Class VI experiences in Morocco and another episode about The American Fondouk Donkey Hospital in Fez, Morocco.

The cooperative venture between MARL and Rural Leadership North Dakota still has room for you to participate. On Wednesday, June 27 join us from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM at CHS in Inver Grove Heights for a tour, lunch and presentations about marketing, international trade and the CHS business. The next day Thursday, June 28 a second tour is set up at Cargill Corporate Headquarters in Wayzata beginning at 2:30 PM. This will be followed by a Mississippi river boat cruise and dinner. You can attend either tour or both and can add the river boat cruise and dinner. Call Cindy Weber at 507-389-6975 or e-mail her at weber168@umn.edu for more information and to RSVP.

CHS Headquarters - Inver Grove Heights, MN

Cargill Headquarters -Wayzata, MN

Team Players

MARL Class VI Alumni Rick Smith and Gail Donkers gave a very interesting presentation complete with pictures and personal stories regarding their MARL International Study Trip to Morocco to the SE Minnesota Ag Alliance on May 21. MARL Alumni Jim O'Connor and Carey Tweten, MARL Board of Director Jim Checkel, MARL Executive Director Dan Hoffman and past UM Extension educator and MARL presenter Madge Alberts were also in attendance. The group had some great questions.

Kristin Harner and her staff from the MN Farm Bureau were great hosts to the MARL Board of Directors for their May 23 board meeting at the MN Farm Bureau offices in Eagan. It was at this meeting that MARL Class VI Representatives Kirby Hettver and Jane Wilcox-Hardwick joined the board for the first time. Kirby and Jane each contributed to the meeting and were able to share their current and relevant MARL experiences with the board.

May 24 was the special day for recognizing the 2012 Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture award recipients at the UM McNamara Alumni Center. MARL Board Chair, Sandy Ludeman was a recipient of the cherished prize in 2011. Ludeman stated that MARL has some very acomplished alumni that should be nominated for the Siehl Prize in the future. For more information go to:
www.cfans.umn.edu/siehlprize/

Kyle Petersen, Harmon Wilts, Jim Sieben, Kirby Hettver, Roger Imdieke, Stan Claussen, Dan Lippert and Dan Hoffman met at the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar on May 29. The purpose of the meeting was to assemble a plan of action for an educational and inspiring MARL Alumni function revolving aound tours, technology and collaboration in the Wilmar area. Mark September 7 and 8, 2012 on your calendars, because you will not want to miss this upcoming event.

MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar    www.mnwesttechnology.com/purpose.php

Stan Claussen introduced Dan Hoffman to MARL funding partner United FCS personnel. On the return to Southern Minnesota, Hoffman met with staff at MARL funding partner Southwest Initiative Fund (SWIF)staff in Hutchinson.

Thanks to all for being great team players.

Catch Your Breath If You Can

Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) people have been very busy since the last MARL Now Blog was posted just after Class VI returned from their International Study Tour to Morocco.

+MARL was represented at the Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Ag Outlook Seminar in Marshall.
+The MARL Study Tour to Morocco was featured on a live radio show in Marshall.
+Thirty-Two members of MARL Class VI graduated in Chaska.
+The MARL Alumni Auction was great fun and very successful.
+The MARL Alumni Breakfast was well attended and the 2013 MARL Alumni International Trip destination was announced...New Zealand.
+The MARL office moved to a new facility provided by SMSU.
+Applicants for MARL Class VII were interviewed at five different sites around the State of Minnesota.
+Thirty participants for MARL Class VII were selected and later announced.
+MARL was represented at the Minnesota State FFA Convention.
+The Marshall Rotary Sunrise Club was given a presentation about MARL's mission and Class VI.
+Planning and announcement of the August 20, 2012 MARL Golf Tournament in North Mankato took place.
+Many presentations regarding the MARL mission and the MARL International Study Tour to Morocco have been given around the state of Minnesota by MARL Alumni and the Executive Director.
+A tour of two large Minnesota agriculture businesses and a river boat cruise with North Dakota leaders and MARL will soon be announced.

Catch your breath and check the MARL Now Blog again very soon to check out the new items.

Morocco Welcomes MARL Class VI

MARL Class VI had a wonderful experience on their International Study Tour to Morocco. The sights, sounds, smells, tastes, events, places and people of Morocco all combined to give MARL Class VI a world class, unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Every day was packed with tours, meeting new people, speakers, trying new foods and learning about a new culture. We were welcomed, treated well and invited back by our Moroccan friends. You can follow the journey of Class VI in Morocco by going to Facebook and typing MARL Morocco in the search box. Once there you will find pictures and comments from class members.

I have prepared a PowerPoint presentation for MARL Class VI members to use to deliver presentations to your group or organization. Each class member was given the assignment to give a presentation to three different groups. MARL Class VI class members have their bios and contact information listed at www.MARLprogram.org under Current MARL Class. Please contact them directly to set up a presentation time. E-mail me at Dan.Hoffman@SMSU.edu if you need help finding the right person to present to your group.

Hotel reservations for graduation need to be made before March 9 for special pricing. Contact information for Oak Ridge Hotel, RSVP for graduation and meal choices are on the home page at www.MARLprogram.org.

MARL Class VI member Jim Sieben and UM representative Dick Senese look on as MARL Executive Director Dan Hoffman presents a gift to US Ambassador to Morocco Sam Kaplan and his wife Sylvia. The Ambassador and his wife invited MARL Class VI to their home for dinner.

 

Lara Durben presents a friendship pin to Ambassador Sam Kaplan.

 Bulk spices for sale.

 

 Jane Wilcox-Hardwick with an orange tree behind her a a bunch of dates hanging down in front of her.

 

Loom operator in a Medina weaving cloth. 

 

Beautiful fabrics from the loom.

Lara Durben, Staci Bohlen-Martin and Tom Walsh model products of the Moroccan weavers.