Foreign Delegates Tour Tennessee’s Agriculture Industry

NASHVILLE — Foreign delegates from 22 countries experienced Tennessee’s agriculture and forestry industries this week through the USDA Foreign Agricultural Attaché Tour.

The event is an annual trade and education-focused tour for foreign diplomatic representatives based in Washington, D.C. This year’s tour included three days in Tennessee followed by three days in Kentucky.

“The last time Tennessee hosted this tour was in 1987, and our state’s number one industry has seen many innovations, changes, and additions since then,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “This opportunity to introduce and reemphasize Tennessee agriculture to delegates from other countries will expand market options and support agricultural economic development.”

While in Tennessee, the delegates visited The Cotton Museum, Agricenter International, Middle TN Lumber, Tennessee Distilling Group, Deer Valley Farm, Riverbend Nurseries, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Cotton and Tobacco Program headquarters.

“We appreciate USDA for bringing us to Tennessee,” Dr. Josyline Javelosa, Philippine Agriculture Attaché to the United States said. “It was impressive to see first-hand the state’s resources, how various agribusiness industries worked, and the vital impact these create on the community, both domestic and international. The information gained, ideas generated, and contacts made in this tour stirred our interest to look into Tennessee as a further partner in trade, technology, and investments.”

The delegates also heard presentations from industry leaders, including the National Cotton Council, American Cotton Shippers Association, AgLaunch, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Tennessee Poultry Association, Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Pig Improvement Company, Tennessee Farm Bureau, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Plant Certification section.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote wise use of our agricultural and forest resources, develop economic opportunities, and ensure safe and dependable food and fiber for the citizens of Tennessee. For more information on TDA’s export assistance opportunities, click here.