California Agricultural Leadership Program

Being flexible, understanding, and ready for a full day continues to be a theme of Class 52’s national trip. We started the day with a COVID test, had breakfast, and continued to show D.C. why we are known as the “Hungry & Chatty” group. Fueled up and ready to learn, we jumped in cars and headed to our first destination: Embassy Row.

The drive to the Consulate of Panama was beautiful and eventful. Magnolia trees were in full bloom, the brick and stone buildings were stately, and the yards were expertly landscaped. As we made our way along Rock Creek and arrived at our destination, we saw a very loud, very long motorcade that was (apparently) transporting someone very important. The real D.C. experience!

One of the countries we are visiting on our international trip is Panama. We have been looking forward to visiting the Embassy and were eager to learn more about this beautiful country and their culture. At the Consulate of Panama we met with the Commercial Attachés and other staff who generously welcomed us in true Panamanian fashion, and with very nice coffee (of course). Panama is a diverse, stable, and democratic country that lives by the rule of guna yala which means “living above the land.” Our hosts explained that when you live by guna yala methodology, you become Panamanian when you arrive to the country, and you enrich the country with your own experience and culture. In this way, Panama, like the United States, is a melting pot of people and cultures from all over the world. Panama is also looking to find their niche in new industries to diversify their economy, and they seek to be part of the supply chain for future growth in the technology sector. 

We also learned of the struggles that Panama is facing with migrants traveling from Columbia through the jungle of the Darien Gap. This is a grueling 7-10 day journey that tens of thousands of migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Columbia, and other South American countries take through a dangerous jungle where robbery, sexual assault, and human trafficking are as dangerous as the wildlife, insects, and lack of fresh water. 

The number of migrants entering the Darien Gap is staggering and increasing dramatically. Over 200,000 migrants are expected to make this journey in 2023, and while Panama is a welcoming country that gives aid where needed, their main goal is to help migrants move North to their ultimate destination of the United States border. There are two types of migrants to Panama: 1) those with financial means who relocate via airplane with the intention to remain in Panama (e.g. ex-pats of the US), and 2) the heavy stream of migrants from the Darien Gap who do not intend to remain in Panama and can quickly overwhelm the Panama population of 4 million people.

Next, we travelled to the U.S. Department of State where we met with the “Desk Officers” for Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, the three countries we are visiting on our international trip. We learned that the State Department (aka “Main State”) is the lead on foreign policy for all U.S. agencies. They pay close attention to issues that other agencies wouldn’t, and they take into account all considerations such as local and regional politics, economics, immigration, and culture when developing and advancing U.S. foreign policies. Meeting with them was fascinating as three high-level officers dove into a conversation that provided us a full picture of the relationships between these countries while intertwining challenges in the region.

As mentioned at the Consulate, the State Department reiterated that Panama is a shining light of democracy for its region. Given the prominence of the canal and geographical location, it is the flow-through nation for both goods and people. The Dorian Gap, the jungle by which unaccompanied minors and pregnant women travel into Panama from South America, used to be a survival training site for soldiers due to its legendary hostility. Panama does what it can to receive and welcome survivors with food and medicine, but they need more help. It was a relief to hear that the U.S. grants some of these migrants asylum in the U.S. temporarily. Given the dire physical state of surviving migrants and the sheer volume passing through the jungle, I wonder what more we could do both individually and as a nation to support these lives.

The drive to the State Department was a joyous one. We were ecstatic to have one of our other fellows back to join us on this journey (Andrew Genasci).

Class 52 at the U.S. Department of State.

Now the Hill visits begin! After a very windy lunch, we made our way to the Hart Senate Office Building and split the groups into two: one meeting with staff representing California Senator Alex Padilla and the other with staff for Washington Senator Maria Cantwell.

We were lucky enough to have a few minutes from Nicole Teutshel as she is the Senior Advisor to Senator Maria Cantwell, and she shared her leadership journey with our Fellows along with what she felt it took to thrive within the D.C. political realm.

We were also honored to meet with Angela Ebiner, Policy Advisor for Senator Alex Padilla, and hear about the work she is doing for Californians on railroad issues, the 2023 Farm Bill, and water. When asked how she and the Senator manage to work on statewide issues that involve diverse opinions, she replied with a common theme we hear throughout Ag Leadership – listen!

After our meetings in the Senate building we raced across The Capitol grounds, waving to the Supreme Court Building and the Library of Congress before arriving to the Cannon House Office Building where we had meetings scheduled with Rep. Josh Harder; Anne Knapke, USDA Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy; Kyle Lombardi, Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. Kevin McCarthy; and Rep. Jim Costa.

Kyle Lombardi spoke about the leadership styles of not only himself but also of Speaker McCarthy. How negotiation and relationships are key to making decisions and actions happen not only in the legislature but in life in general.

We were also very honored to be able to speak briefly with Congressman Jim Costa and where he enlightened us about his past, his goals, and where he feels he makes the most impact in legislation, which is in being a good person.

True to Capitol Hill fashion, our meetings with the congressional offices were short yet valuable. We captured a few memorable quotes that will stick with us on our leadership journey:

“It’s okay to lead with kindness and respect.”

“Are you a work horse or a show horse?”

“You have to be okay being uncomfortable.”

“I don’t have republican cows or democrat cows. I just have cows that need help.”

To finish our day on The Hill, we learned how the Press Corp works with Congress in search of truth in reporting. We met with Matt Fuller, Washington Bureau Chief for The Daily Beast; Heather Caygle, Managing Editor for Puchbowl News; and Connor O’Brien, Sr. Defense Reporter for Politico. This turned out to be an engaging conversation about writing the truth at all costs. As Matt Fuller said, “There is the Republican viewpoint, the Democrat viewpoint, and then there is the Truth, and their job is to write the truth.” I think we were all impressed with each reporter’s desire to hold their own credibility above a big story even if it meant losing the scoop. As Heather Caygle said, “You should always strive to be correct and first with a story, and always in that order.”

As a preview to our professional Class 52 picture on the East Steps, here are a few photos of the beautiful location. It may have been windy but we made it work to the best of our abilities.

After our visits, a few of us were pretty excited to run into Congressman Jim Costa at dinner (The Grill) and were able to get a quick photo with him.

The day ended with a delightful reception celebrating agricultural leaders across the nation. Hosted by the D.C. Exchange at the beautiful USDA Whitten Building, we shared our leadership journeys with REAL Montana – Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership. As our national visit comes to an end, theirs just begins. We talked about our day on the Hill, the countries we are visiting on our international trip, and everything we are looking forward to tomorrow – our final day.

Joining us at the reception were many guests from our visits this week as well as CALP alumni and friends!

The beautiful USDA Whitten Building.

Magnolia trees in bloom all throughout D.C.