Symposium Program

Intersections of Policy and Practice to Strengthen Agricultural Education and Training Systems

Kellogg Conference Center, Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.

How do internal or external, national or institutional policies affect agricultural education and training (AET) systems? This is an important question for sustainable development of AET systems in international development. Effective AET systems: improve organizations and institutions; develop partnerships; encourage interdisciplinary collaborations; involve the private sector; encourage and share research; strengthen curricula; improve teaching; empower women; and, advance economies. However, this work does not happen in a vacuum. Institutional and national policy environments have a large effect on the development of AET systems. This symposium provides a space to discuss lessons learned and ways forward.

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Program PDF

Track Key: YD = Youth Development, CS = Cross-Sector Collaboration, G = Gender, PS = Private Sector Engagement

Pre-Symposium Workshop,Wednesday, June 7, 1:00-5:30 PM EST

“HICD Storytelling: From Design to Evaluation and Back Again”

Facilitators: InnovATE Team

Day 1—Thursday, June 8

7:30-8:30 Breakfast

8:30 Welcome – Larry Vaughan, Director of InnovATE; Van Crowder, Executive Director OIRED, Virginia Tech

8:45 USAID Welcome – Clara Cohen, Division Chief, Human and Institutional Capacity, Executive Director, BIFAD, Bureau for Food Security

9:00 Opening Remarks

9:15-10:30 Plenary Session 1

Agricultural Innovation Systems: Not Business as Usual

Moderator: Charles Maguire, AET consultant

Panelists: Irene Annor-Frempong, FARA; Maria Mullei, public/private partnership specialist, Virginia Tech; David Nielson, World Bank

10:30-10:40 Transition Break

10:40-11:55 Concurrent Sessions A

1A: “Overcoming Barriers to Modernize Tanzanian Technical Training Programs for Agricultural Extension” Mark Erbaugh, Dave Hansen and Mary Rodriguez, The Ohio State University; Amon Mattee and Catherine Msuya, Sokoine University of Agriculture Track: YD

2A: “Supporting Agricultural Education Institutional Capacity Development through Higher Education” Samantha Alvis and Hanan Saab, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

3A: “Using Gender Education to Stimulate Policy Change through Grassroots Efforts” Patty Neiner and Ruth Mendum, Pennsylvania State University Track: G

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:05 – 2:20 Concurrent Sessions B

4B: “Operationalizing a New Law: Universities and Outreach in Senegal” Demba Farba Mbaye, Education and Research in Agriculture (ERA) project, Senegal

5B: “Intersections of Research and Agricultural Education” Tatiana Gumucio, CIAT; Mary Njenga, World Agroforestry Centre; Katie Tavenner, ILRI Track: G

6B: “Engaging the Private Sector to Strengthen an AET System: Lessons Learned in Haiti” Grady Roberts and JC Bunch, University of Florida Track: PS

7B: “Planning for a Regional Continuing Professional Education Certificate for Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training Teachers in Central America” Henry Quesada and John Ignosh, Virginia Tech; Anny González, CECC/SICA

2:20 – 2:30 Transition Break

2:30 – 3:45 Plenary Session 2

Are We Moving Forward? Gender Transformation and AET

Moderator: Becky Williams, University of Florida

Panelists: Deborah Rubin, Cultural Practice; Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD); Gretchen Neisler, Center for Global Connections in Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University Track: G

3:45- 4:15 Break

4:15-5:30 Concurrent Sessions C

8C: “Improving Nutrition through Strengthening Agricultural Education: Comparative Policy Lessons from India & Malawi” Suresh Babu, IFPRI Track: CS

9C: “HICD and the Innovation Labs” Tim Dalton, Kansas State University, Sorghum and Millet Innovation Lab; Manny Reyes, Kansas State University, Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab; Deborah Rubin, Cultural Practice Track: PS

10C: “Industry Engagement in New Food Safety Systems Management Curriculum in Armenia” Angela Neilan, Virginia Tech; Vardan Urutyan, Agribusiness Teaching Center, International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education; Cathy Cutter, Pennsylvania State University; Joe Marcy, Virginia Tech; Bob Reinhard, Tyson Foods Track: PS

Day 2—Friday, June 9

7:30-8:30 Breakfast

8:30 Welcome Recap/Reframe – Larry Vaughan/Clara Cohen

9:00-10:15 Plenary Session 3

Co-Creating Agricultural Education and Training Systems for Youth Development

Moderator: Glen Shinn, Global Consulting Solutions and Texas A & M University

Panelists: Julieta Mazzola, EARTH University; Hazel Wilson Nash, FADCANIC; Lisa Lauxman, 4-H USDA; Miles Sedgwick, Rana Labs and AgriJoven project Track: YD

10:15-10:30 Break

10:30-11:45 Concurrent Sessions D

11D: “Using a Gender Awareness Tool to Achieve Recognition for Women as Farmers” Tania Sharmin, CARE Bangladesh; Bidyuth K. Mahalder, Agricultural Support Activity (AESA) project; Samsad Najnin, CARE Bangladesh Track: G

12D: “Policies & Programs to Engage the Private Sector, Women & Youth in Extension and Advisory Services” David J. Spielman and Simrin Makhija, IFPRI; Steven Franzel and Jane Kugonza, World Agroforestry Centre Track: G, YD, PS

13D: “Opposites Attract: Engaging the Private Sector in Agricultural Education and Training” Peter Saling, Winrock International; Michael Bassey, Winrock International’s Farmer-to-Farmer program, Nigeria Track: PS

14D: “Agricultural Education and Career Development for Youth in Emerging Economies: The Changing Paradigm” Prosper Doamekpor, Tuskegee University; Appiah Kwaku Boateng, 4-H Ghana; Festus Annor-Frempong, University of Cape Coast Track: YD

11:50-1:10 Lunch

1:15-2:30 Concurrent Sessions E

15E: “AET Responses to Seed Sector Needs: University of Nairobi and ERA Senegal” Agnes Wakesho Mwang’ombe, University of Nairobi; Fatou Gueye, Education and Research in Agriculture (ERA) project, Senegal Track: PS

16E “Community-Based University Demonstration Program to Promote Agriculture in Developing Countries” Courage Saba, University for Development Studies, Ghana; Appiah Kwaku Boateng, 4-H Ghana Track: YD

17E: “Working with Women Extension Agents in Afghanistan” Sophia Claire Wilcox, Matilde Paino D’Urzo, and Taryn Devereux, University of Maryland, Afghanistan Agricultural Extension Program Women’s Program Track: G

2:30-2:55 Break