The Best Trip of My Life

Was I just tired?  Did I just have brain fog, or was I actually traveling atop a mountain through the clouds?  It was the latter or maybe all three.  LSU Ag Leadership and Development Class XVII has just returned from its international trip to Panama and Costa Rica. 

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kristen oaks
A Pineapple By Any Other Means Is Not As Sweet

All apologies to The Bard for that paraphrased headline, but I am on a sugar rush from the pineapple I just had.

Here at the Organic Paradise pineapple farm in Sarapiqui, we just completed one of the most educational experiences of the trip for me, knowing nothing about its production.  They took us from planting to exporting during this tour and by the end we knew not only how they’re produced, but the best way to pick a pineapple.  More on that later.

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kristen oaks
With Passion and Love

Over the past 10 days we have seen many different agricultural operations from farms to research to markets throughout Panama and Costa Rica. Today, we got the privilege of going to Finca Don Juan, a fully organic farm to table operation. In my opinion, he is the most interesting farmer we have visited so far. This is all because of his passion and love for growing the most outstanding fully organic crops. 

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kristen oaks
Rice: It’s What’s for Dinner

And lunch. And breakfast. And a few desserts. To say that rice is a staple of the Costa Rican diet would be an understatement. In fact, most meals Class XVII have enjoyed on our international trip have one commonality… RICE. On average, Costa Ricans per capita consume 125 pounds of rice per year. The per capita rice consumption in the U.S. is a meager 27 pounds. Some rough calculations around the dinner table a few nights ago indicate that our group might be able to meet our annual rice consumption quota by the end of this trip.

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kristen oaks
Finding the Delta in Costa Rica

Visiting Panama and Costa Rica solidifies that we live in a global market.  Globalization has not only opened new markets, but also given us access to germplasm and traits sooner than if we were dependent on local research.  The agricultural community has one common goal, to feed and clothe everyone on the globe, which takes leaders.  

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kristen oaks
A Walk to the River and in the Woods

Experiencing practical and cultural differences in agriculture has been abundant throughout our trip. We saw how these differences impact management styles and how industry leaders in Panama are successful in the businesses they run. Our visits included a trip to a cattle ranch, followed by a tour a of vertically-integrated teakwood forestry operation. Both of these operations take experience from the states and mesh it with Panamanian culture to be innovators in their field.

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kristen oaks
Feeding a Passion for the Land

Travelers are starting to grow weary. But the sights, sounds and smells are definitely making it all worth it. We had an early start today, traveling east to the town of Turrialba where nestled in the mountains is CATIE, the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center. CATIE is a postgraduate institution that is composed of 34 member countries. 

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The People Business

If I had to say what business I am in, I’d tell you I’m in the people business. As an expert in the field of people, I’d say LSU Ag Leadership Class XVII is now ripe for the roast (coffee pun intended).

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kristen oaks
You Had Me At Coffee

When our Ag Leadership class first arrived at our hotel in Panamá, I noticed the phrase below hanging prominently in the bar.  Right above the French press and coffee grinder.

I dont need an inspirational quote, I NEED COFFEE!”

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kristen oaks
Markets Matter 

When I travel, whether in the U.S. or internationally, the first thing I seek out is the local farmers market. This is no surprise to those who know me as my job at BREADA includes organizing and executing the Red Stick Farmers Market, which has a 26-year history of connecting farmers and consumers. As important as that is for the economic livelihood of family farmers, markets serve an equally important job creating vibrant gathering places for communities.

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Living La Pura Vida in Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!

That’s the first thing we learned upon arriving in Costa Rica.  Worn out from a long day of travel the day before, the class was able to slow down to the Costa Rican lifestyle on Sunday.  Pura Vida literally means “pure life,” but it is really an attitude that is part Bohemian and part California. They run on their own timetable here, but it is an attractive way of life for natives and many ex-pats from across the globe.  They say “pure vida” in response when you ask them how they’re doing. 

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kristen oaks
The Dirty Devil in a Heavenly Market

In the old cartoon The Flintstones, Pebbles Flintstone sings the song “Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sun Shine In.” The lyrics go, “Mommy told me something a little kid should know. It’s all about the devil and I’ve learned to hate him so.” Well, there’s not a whole hate for the devil in Panama. 

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Loving When Relaxation Ends and Work Begins

Being away from home and work life for four days now I realize this is the longest I’ve been away from the grind in quite a while.  This is the point in a trip where it really starts to feel like vacation.  Although the tours and meetings are very informational and this is technically a ‘work’ trip, the sites, experiences, food, and late night rooftop bar hopping in the old town  with classmates allows a level of relaxation. My trust in my team to handle the day to day operations back home begins to kick in, and other than missing my beautiful wife and sweet kids terribly,  I’m really enjoying the break from day to day and have removed myself from all things meat production.  Until today. 

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kristen oaks
Generations of Ag Leaders

Today, January 19th, 2023, marks the 35th anniversary since Class I had the original seminar for the LSU Agricultural Leadership Development Program. I was asked to write about the anniversary for obvious reasons. My dad, Jay Hardwick, was in that original seminar and here I am, in Panama, part of Class XVII. 35 years separate us and soon I will join him as an alumnus. Hopefully Dr. Bobby agrees with me.

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Panama: Narrow Land, Worldwide Connection

Today was the first full day on the ground in Panama for Class XVII.  The day started with a tour of Casco Viejo, the oldest colonial city in Latin America.  Dating back to 1673, little remains of the old city for two reasons: Captain Morgan and rebuilding efforts.

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