WSU Student Headed to Rwanda as FFA Advocate for Sustainable Agriculture

Pullman, Wash. – Washington State University student, Victoria Marsh, has been selected to participate in the National FFA Organization’s global agriculture outreach program, FFA GO: Africa. Marsh and six other college students from across the nation will leave for Rwanda on July 13. There, they will be working with local farmers to fight poverty and hunger and to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Victoria Marsh. Click image to download high-resolution version.
Victoria Marsh. Click image to download high-resolution version.

“I hope to one day start a non-profit organization focused on providing various African nations with a sound knowledge and solid foundation in sustainable agricultural practices,” said Marsh. “Getting to take part in the FFA GO: Africa program is such a blessing.”

The goals of the FFA GO: Africa program are to personally engage students with global issues and challenges of agriculture, food, hunger, poverty and human suffering; provide opportunities for service learning in developing countries; and inspire students to serve and make a positive humanitarian difference in the world through agriculture.

“FFA believes it is imperative for students to learn how agriculture affects the global community and to understand how geography, politics and the availability of natural resources can impact agriculture’s ability to feed a rapidly growing world population,” said Dr. Dwight Armstrong, National FFA chief executive officer. “Acquiring an appreciation for the dynamics and complexities of these issues will prepare students to play active roles of leadership and service in addressing critical needs, ensuring the sustainability of agriculture and promoting food security for all.”

Marsh, an undergraduate double majoring in Field Crop Science and Agricultural Communications, is no stranger to global outreach. As a communications intern with Marketing, News, and Educational Communications in the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, she has worked to promote the Ripple Effect, a project of WSU and Total Land Care to offer education to farmers in Malawi and provide them with sustainable agriculture tools. Marsh is also serving as an Ambassador for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

In addition to Marsh, FFA GO: Africa participants are:

  • Jeffrey Barnes – Leland, Ill., Joliet Junior College
  • Ashley Breitnauer – Cedaredge, Colo., Oklahoma State University
  • Elizabeth Eastep – Yanceyville, N.C., North Carolina State University
  • Thomas Griffin – Culver, Ore., Oregon State University
  • Brett Monson – Webster, S.D., South Dakota State University
  • Jamie Renier – Denmark, Wis., University of Wisconsin-River Falls

The group will be lead by Trisha Bailey, chief operating officer for H. Beck, Inc., and a former national FFA officer. All participants will undergo a two-day orientation in Washington, D.C., before beginning their work alongside Catholic Relief Services in Rwanda.

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