S t u d y To u r i n G e r m a n y

M c C L O Y F E L L O W S H I P I N A G R I C U LT U R E

The McCloy Fellowship in Agriculture is an exchange program for promising

American and German leaders. The agricultural fellowship enables four

Fellows from each country to swap sides of the Atlantic for 21 days to

broaden their sights and build transatlantic relationships. Fellows meet with

fellowship alumni, policy makers, and agricultural experts while acquainting

themselves with the practices, challenges and solutions of their peers.

McCloy Fellows in Agriculture receive an up-close look at agricultural, farm

and food-supply conditions across the Atlantic. They develop a greater

ability to analyze how issues affect farmers in the U.S. and abroad. The

more Farm Bureau members and staff understand the advantages and

challenges in other countries, the better they will understand the global

context in which U.S. agriculture operates. This program helps to develop

U.S. agricultural professionals who can contribute a broader perspective to

the agricultural debate.

Why Become a Fellow? The McCloy program enables you to see how farmers in another part of the

world do business, to become intimately familiar with agriculture in Europe,

and to compare best practices. In the process, you have the opportunity

to create lasting friendships, both among the group of Fellows traveling

together and with the Fellowship alumni and others you meet in Germany.

Fellows typically travel to several major German cities, including Berlin, as

well as rural areas that show the diversity, the history and the potential of

German agriculture. Past Fellows have visited the European Parliament in

Brussels, Belgium, to gain insights into the European Union and the impact

of its agricultural policy. While you take in the sights—whether world-

famous landmarks or family farms that are off the beaten path—you gain

a deeper understanding not only of German farming but also of German

government, economics and culture.

S t u d y To u r i n G e r m a n y

M c C L O Y F E L L O W S H I P I N A G R I C U LT U R E

How Does It Work? Annually, the American Council on Germany

(ACG) invites the Deutscher Bauernverband

(German Farm Organization) and the American

Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) to nominate

four candidates from each of the two countries

to be considered for a 21-day agricultural tour.

In each case, state organizations and staff

cooperate in the planning of a meaningful

itinerary for the Fellows. A per diem of $200 is

provided to each Fellow for the duration of the

program, and the ACG covers all transportation

costs. After the trip, each Fellow must submit

a written report to the ACG and AFBF. The

exact dates of the tour are determined by the

participants as a group, but travel will occur

between September and November.

Nominations and SelectionCandidates are nominated by state Farm Bureau presidents to the

AFBF president. Nominees must be Farm Bureau members or staff with

outstanding leadership qualifications and preferably between 28 and 40

years of age. Applications are mailed to states by mid-February of each year

and are due back to AFBF by the end of March. The state nomination should

include the candidate’s completed application, a cover letter indicating

reason for interest, an autobiography, a personal resume or vitae, and a

letter of nomination from the state president. Only one nomination per

state, per year is allowed. The AFBF president selects nominees to forward to

the ACG, which makes the final selection.

General Timeline

Announcement letter and applications mailed to state presidents Mid-February

State Farm Bureau submits nomination End of March

AFBF president makes selections Mid-April

Confirm nominees’ agreement to participate End of April

ACG accepts and notifies nominees Mid-May

Participants travel (3 weeks) Sept. to Nov.

For more information: mccloy@fb.org

S t u d y To u r i n G e r m a n y

M c C L O Y F E L L O W S H I P I N A G R I C U LT U R E

The McCloy Fellowship broadened my view of agriculture as a global industry,

while at the same time opening my eyes to the common themes and challenges

shared by agricultural producers around the world. It was a once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity to experience German farming, culture and hospitality with my

three fellow American agriculturalists.”

— Kelli Ludlum, 2011 Fellow (AFBF)

“

I felt like we were able to experience a wonderful part of the German culture

in living and breathing their agricultural endeavors for three weeks. It was

an honor to be a part of the program, and I have no doubt that the McCloy

Fellowship in Agriculture strengthens ties between two great organizations and

two great countries.”

— Jeff Sutton, 2010 Fellow (Kansas)

“

The intimate visits we had with local farmers in various regions would be

impossible to recreate in any other format. This fellowship allowed us access to

information and people I never would have had the opportunity to experience

otherwise. I now have a more thorough understanding of international

agriculture and a better understanding of influences on American agriculture.”

— Sarah Wilson, 2010 Fellow (North Dakota )

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