ILSSO > Steak, Sun, and Struggling Farmers

Bienvenidos a Rosario, Argentina!

We started yesterday off bright and early to our first authentic Argentine breakfast. Then, we departed Buenos Aires for Pergamino to visit Alejandro Calderon at his livestock and row crop farm. There he told us about his rotational grazing practices with his red and black angus beef herd.

He has discovered that raising bulls for stock is much more profitable than selling a finished animal. He also explained to us his cropping system, which includes a winter and summer rotation of corn, soybeans, wheat, and green peas. Soybeans are their preferred crop, even though there is a 35 percent export tax on anything that is sold. This tax seems to be just one of the many governmental regulations that Argentina farmers struggle with on a day-to-day basis. Even so, Alejandro has been successful with his cropping operation and has expanded to include for-hire crop services.

During the heat of the early afternoon, we broke for lunch at the fairgrounds of the Sociedad Rural. Here we were treated to a three course meal. At first we were given a meat tray that we mistook for the main course. After accidentally loading up on bread and Coke, we were than treated to a large, delicious Argentine steak! Just when we thought the meal was done, they brought out a cup of ice cream and frozen fruit. It was a refreshing treat for the warm weather.

After lunch we went to Alejandro’s machinery shed. He is one of the few farmers in the area who is able to own his own machinery. He explained the uses for his machinery and how he has begun to implement technology such as GPS.

Next we traveled to their equivalent of a local elevator. We learned that they take wheat from the local farmers, but they only trade soybeans. This 19,000 metric ton storage facility was also a dealer for agrochemicals and fertilizer. We recognized many brand names from the United States.

Finally, we boarded the bus and headed to Rosario where we stayed for the night. Many of us adventured out on the town to enjoy more local cuisine. We look forward to tomorrow and another sun filled day in Argentina where we'll add on to today’s sunburn!

Adios Amigos!

“The Red Hot Chili Peppers”

Ryan, Iowa
John, Nebraska
Jeff, Kansas
Travis, Idaho
Paige, Washington
Brady, South Dakota
Cody, Illinois
Allison, Texas
Kaite, Michigan
Alec, New Jersey
Lynsey, Florida
Derek, Minnesota
Gaby, Puerto Rico
Sarah, Tennessee
Clay, Florida
Holly, Georgia



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Current and past state FFA officers are invited to participate in the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO). Participants spend 10 days traveling abroad and learning about international agriculture and the global marketplace. Find out more about National FFA Global programs on ffa.org.

ILSSO > Touched Down and Ready to Tango

Hola FFA amigos from Buenos Aires, Argentina!

The day we were all waiting for finally arrived! Bright and early yesterday morning, the ILSSO participants boarded their flight to Argentina, “The Land of Silver."

If you have ever taken a road-trip, you know how time can fly when you are having fun! Card games, new friendships, conversations, studying up on our Spanish “skills”, a couple naps, pictures and various other activities filled our nine hour flight. Some of the scenery we saw from the plane's windows included the Caribbean Sea, Andes Mountains, Amazon Rainforest and many of the small towns that dots across South America.

We safely arrived last night just as the sun went down and were greeted by customs and a considerably warm climate.

As we left the airport, we were greeted by an Argentine tour guide. Although we had just entered a new country, we felt right at home as our tour guide held up signs that read “FFA.” We boarded a motor coach and headed for the Hotel Presidente. We learned pieces of Argentine history along the way as our tour guide gave us a little taste of the city life.

Tonight we are resting up in order to begin our tours of Argentine agriculture tomorrow! Our guides Jorge Cazenave and Jimmy Murphy will be taking us to a corn, soybean, and wheat farm, and we'll visit with a director of the farmer’s union. We will find our rest tomorrow evening in Rosario!

Adios Amigos and hasta manana (see you tomorrow)!

“The Exploring Jaguars”

Jamie, North Carolina
Laura, Tennessee
Rebecca, Virginia
Justin, Minnesota
Michael, Iowa
John, Illinois
Amy, Ohio
Nicole, Florida
Garrett, Kansas
Michelle, Florida
James, Virginia
Johanna, Kansas
Kirby, Minnesota
Brianna, Washington
Reva, Oregon
Debra, Nebraska

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Current and past state FFA officers are invited to participate in the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO). Participants spend 10 days traveling abroad and learning about international agriculture and the global marketplace. Find out more about National FFA Global programs on ffa.org.