NCHU Collaborates with Kansas Department of Agriculture to Set a New Benchmark for Taiwan-U.S. Agricultural Youth Exchange
2025-04-16
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Source: Division of Academic Exchange, Office of International Affairs, NCHU
Commissioned by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver, the Office of International Affairs at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) partnered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Kansas State University (KSU) to organize a short-term exchange program for young agricultural professionals. The exchange commenced in April 2025 with an NCHU delegation visiting Kansas.
The NCHU delegation, composed of students from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Life Sciences, began their visit with a tour of the White Buffalo Ranch, where they were warmly welcomed by owner Mike White. The students introduced the history of NCHU and presented a souvenir engraved with the university emblem, fostering a pleasant cultural exchange. The delegation also visited the Kansas Wheat at KSU, where they explored the entire wheat production process—from planting to manufacturing—and even participated in hands-on breadmaking, experiencing the full farm-to-table agricultural ecosystem.
The group also visited the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, where Speaker Daniel R. Hawkins personally guided them through the legislative chambers. Speaker Hawkins, who has visited Taiwan twice, expressed his admiration for the warmth of the Taiwanese people and the country’s advanced agricultural technology. The delegation engaged in discussions with elected officials and lobbyists, comparing legislative systems and processes. Additional visits included Mill Brae Ranch, Vermillion Valley Equine Center, and Benz Farms, where they learned about animal breeding practices and participated in horseback riding. At the Pine’s Garden & Market, they held conversations with the owner on international political and economic topics, including the impact of tariffs on small-scale farmers. The students also attended classes at KSU, getting a taste of American college life.
In 2023, Kansas exported $193 million worth of agricultural products to Taiwan, making Taiwan its sixth-largest agricultural trade partner. This Taiwan-U.S. youth exchange program not only strengthens academic and industrial ties but also promotes bilateral agricultural trade. Through this immersive experience, students from both countries gained insights into the distinct agricultural economies and cultures of Taiwan and the U.S., understood the interplay between agriculture and international politics, and explored the challenges of production, processing, and sales across borders. The valuable experience broadened their global perspectives and fostered meaningful friendships. Kansas students will visit NCHU in August 2025, further deepening this growing bond. The fruitful outcomes of this exchange serve as an innovative model for youth diplomacy in agriculture and lay a solid foundation for future international collaboration between NCHU and KSU.
Commissioned by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver, the Office of International Affairs at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) partnered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Kansas State University (KSU) to organize a short-term exchange program for young agricultural professionals. The exchange commenced in April 2025 with an NCHU delegation visiting Kansas.
The NCHU delegation, composed of students from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Life Sciences, began their visit with a tour of the White Buffalo Ranch, where they were warmly welcomed by owner Mike White. The students introduced the history of NCHU and presented a souvenir engraved with the university emblem, fostering a pleasant cultural exchange. The delegation also visited the Kansas Wheat at KSU, where they explored the entire wheat production process—from planting to manufacturing—and even participated in hands-on breadmaking, experiencing the full farm-to-table agricultural ecosystem.
The group also visited the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, where Speaker Daniel R. Hawkins personally guided them through the legislative chambers. Speaker Hawkins, who has visited Taiwan twice, expressed his admiration for the warmth of the Taiwanese people and the country’s advanced agricultural technology. The delegation engaged in discussions with elected officials and lobbyists, comparing legislative systems and processes. Additional visits included Mill Brae Ranch, Vermillion Valley Equine Center, and Benz Farms, where they learned about animal breeding practices and participated in horseback riding. At the Pine’s Garden & Market, they held conversations with the owner on international political and economic topics, including the impact of tariffs on small-scale farmers. The students also attended classes at KSU, getting a taste of American college life.
In 2023, Kansas exported $193 million worth of agricultural products to Taiwan, making Taiwan its sixth-largest agricultural trade partner. This Taiwan-U.S. youth exchange program not only strengthens academic and industrial ties but also promotes bilateral agricultural trade. Through this immersive experience, students from both countries gained insights into the distinct agricultural economies and cultures of Taiwan and the U.S., understood the interplay between agriculture and international politics, and explored the challenges of production, processing, and sales across borders. The valuable experience broadened their global perspectives and fostered meaningful friendships. Kansas students will visit NCHU in August 2025, further deepening this growing bond. The fruitful outcomes of this exchange serve as an innovative model for youth diplomacy in agriculture and lay a solid foundation for future international collaboration between NCHU and KSU.
Group photo with members of the Kansas State Legislature at the Capitol
Horseback riding at the Vermillion Valley Equine Center
