MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas' role as a food producer makes it an important ally in working toward a more peaceful world, said Kansas State University’s dean of the College of Agriculture, Fred A. Cholick.

In welcoming 113 military officers representing 80 different countries to K-State recently to learn more about food systems, safety and security, Cholick said “a secure food supply is essential to achieving peace in a global society.”

Cholick, who is also director of K-State Research and Extension, brings more than 30 years of experience with international food production to K-State. He is able to assess present capabilities, and also able to share his vision for Kansas' capacity as a food producer and the university's research on food production and sustainable agriculture.

The international officers to whom he was speaking are participating in the Intermediate Level Education at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, said Mike Brettmann, field studies program director.

“The year-long educational opportunity is based at Fort Leavenworth, and intended to expand international understanding of the United States and its role in a global society,” said Brettmann, a retired military officer with years of experience in foreign affairs.

Officers are nominated by their government after receiving an invitation from the U.S., and subjected to background and medical checks and an English language test before becoming eligible to participate in the program.

Once in the U.S., the officers live in the Kansas City area (at Fort Leavenworth, in Leavenworth, Lansing, and Platte City, Mo.). Each officer is paired with three sets of sponsors.

“Prior to coming to the U.S.,” said Brettmann, “many of the participating officers' perceptions of the U.S. have been based on what they have seen in the movies or read in the media.”            

The Army Staff College experience includes coursework at Fort Leavenworth and a series of educational seminars on a wide variety of topics.

“We want the visiting officers to see the United States as it is, to meet its people, and to learn more about our country's culture and efforts through their own eyes,” Brettmann said.      

Soon after the officers arrive, Brettmann typically arranges a trip to Kansas City with a goal of introducing them to a cross section of U.S. society. That way, they can begin to understand that the U.S. also has human rights and cultural issues.

Following Dean Fred Cholick's presentation, Ernie Minton, K-State’s associate director for research and technology, offered an overview of the university’s research and explained why it is important to the global food supply and sustainable agricultural methods in the larger world.

“Those of us involved in the land grant missions of teaching, research and outreach at K-State recognize that our stakeholders extend well beyond Kansas to include international partners in the global food system,” Minton said. “For example, it is critical to expand the knowledge base around plant and animal diseases, water use efficiency, and other challenges that do not respect boundaries and have the potential to impact crop and livestock production worldwide. We are continually engaged in addressing those types of challenges.”

Harold Trick, associate professor in K-State’s Department of Plant Pathology, explained the processes of producing, regulating and applying genetically modified crops to agricultural research and the role that the technology plays in supplying food to a growing world population.

Early morning sessions were followed by a tour of the International Grains Program in the Grain Science and Industry Complex at K-State. The facility is known worldwide as an international center, said John Howard, administrator of the university’s International Grains Program.

Howard, who also brings extensive international experience in grain marketing and production to K-State, offered a short history of the evolution of grain marketing and highlighted opportunities for education and collaboration.

According to Howard, “one-half of the wheat produced in the United States is consumed here, and one-half is available for the world market.”

Total U.S. production averages 50 to 60 million metric tons, Howard said.

In welcoming the visiting officers to K-State’s Bioprocessing and Industrial Value-Added Program Center, director Ron Madl explained research involving extrusion, the process used in shaping popular cereals, snacks and pet foods, and other composites, adhesives and resins that are made by using renewable resources to replace petroleum-based products.

Madl offered an overview on biorenewable resource utilization, including the production of biofuels and biobased products from sustainable processes.

Officers’ questions ranged from research and student involvement in the process to how and why cloning is different than genetic engineering. 

Major Joseph Alali, from Kuwait, noted the prevalence of fast food and its effects.

As he enjoyed the crisp, clear autumn morning, blue sky and Kansas’ vast landscape, Major Efren Morados, of the Philippines, said that it, too, will be part of what he shares when he returns home.

Officers will attend educational sessions at other colleges and universities in Kansas, observing local, state and the federal government in action, plus visit the Eisenhower and Truman Presidential Libraries, business communities and industries, such as Wichita's aircraft industry.

A trip to Gettysburg, Pa., and Washington, D.C., also are included in the staff college experience.

“In helping international military officers learn more about the U.S. and its people, our hope is that they will share this new knowledge and understanding with the people of their country,” Brettmann said. “Understanding promotes peace.”

For more information about the Staff College, contact Brettmann at 913-684-7323.

For more information about agriculture, food safety and systems and research at Kansas State University, contact The College of Agriculture at K-State at 785-532-6147 or Ernie Minton, at 785-532-6148. For information about the International Grains Program at K-State, contact John Howard a 785-532-4071. More information about International Agricultural Programs at K-State is available from Nina Lilja, director of the program, at 785-532-5627.

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