During the summer of 2013, 10 students from some of the world’s top agriculture schools were chosen from a group of 50 to participate in a three-week program called the North American Ag Trip. The program, sponsored by Evonik, took the students — who represented five continents – to 15 cities in the U.S. to learn about agriculture.
The group visited such companies such as Cargill, Tyson, Fieldale Farms, Gold’n Plump, Koch Foods, Foster Farms, Chick-Fil-A, Pond Hill Dairy, RP Feed Components, JS West, Nuwest Milling and agricultural universities. During the trip, the students also attended the Poultry Science Association meeting in San Diego where two of them presented their research to industry experts and peers.
The tour gives students the opportunity to ask questions of successful organizations and renowned nutritionists. They then share their experiences with the world through blogs, videos and photos, which are posted to a Facebook page as they travel.
The program also offers Evonik insight into prospective talent. "Our markets keep growing and changing. We not only want to keep up with these changes, but also hope to play an active role in shaping them. Highly qualified and motivated employees are our most important assets, and we are always interested in new talent," says Dr. Alfred Petri, sales and marketing manager for bioproducts and methionine in Evonik’s Health & Nutrition Business Unit.
In 2012, Evonik sponsored a similar program throughout Europe, and the company plans to continue the annual program in other regions, as well.
