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Russian agriculturalists visit OSU
STILLWATER, Okla. –– Even Russians are interested in agritourism, and a small group of them who took part in a project designed to help them in their efforts recently visited the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater.
Two OSU agricultural economists made brief presentations to the visitors, who included managers of agricultural companies, leaders of agricultural support organizations, heads of rural cooperatives and educational agrarian institutes, journalists, financial professionals, policy makers and farmers.
“I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with this group,” said Mike Woods, head of OSU’s agricultural economics department.
Woods and Kim Anderson, OSU agricultural economist and Cooperative Extension grain marketing specialist, gave brief presentations to the Russian agriculturalists in April.
“In spite of language differences, we shared a common interest in rural development and the need to enhance rural opportunities,” Woods said.
Woods said he spoke to the group about such things as digital infrastructure, local leadership and economic development.
“When I was discussing economic development, I talked a lot about agritourism. The group seemed to relate to this concept very well,” Woods said.
The short training program called “Rural Economic Development and Finance, A Project for Russia,” was held in cooperation with Tulsa Global Alliance, who hosted the Stavropol, Russia delegates for three weeks in Oklahoma under the auspices of the Community Connections Program, funded by the U. S. Agency for International Development.
Bob Lieser, vice president of programming for Tulsa Global Alliance, said the Russian group had specific goals and objectives that focused on rural economic development and finance.
“During their stay, we arranged for them to visit representatives of organizations such as the Oklahoma State Chamber, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Services of Eastern Oklahoma, the Tulsa World, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Food and Agricultural Products Center, OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, USDA, Tulsa County Cooperative Extension Service, Rural Enterprises Inc. in Durant, the Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Rural Development Center, Spirit Bank in Bristow, Sapulpa’s Economic Development Department and several farms in the Bristow and Kellyville area,” Lieser said.
“The delegation spent three days in Chicago visiting cultural attractions and also observed the opening of the Chicago Board of Trade,” Lieser said.
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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Janet F. Reeder, BA, MS
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
142 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-3651
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: janet.reeder@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
