International agriculture minor program marks 40th anniversary with trip to Capitol

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For 40 years, the international agriculture minor in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has enhanced students’ understanding of agriculture on a global scale by exploring diverse countries, addressing real-world issues and engaging with local communities at home and abroad

Since its inception, the 18-credit INTAG minor has equipped more than 300 students to lead, serve and innovate in communities worldwide and in Pennsylvania, according to Noel Habashy, associate teaching professor and coordinator of the INTAG minor.

“What began as a bold and forward-thinking initiative has grown into a dynamic program that gives students invaluable, real-world experience addressing complex agricultural issues globally,” he said. “We commend the college’s leadership and faculty for championing the INTAG minor, which empowers students to confront global challenges, such as efficient agricultural production, management of environmental resources, and the need for all human beings to have access to nutritious and healthy food.”

He explained that the program offers courses in various academic fields, including social and natural sciences, and can be paired with any Penn State major. The minor requires that students participate in an international experience, which can be fulfilled by completing a semester-long research project or taking an embedded course with an international travel component.

To commemorate the program’s anniversary, Ag Sciences Global recently hosted a trip to Harrisburg and Philadelphia for current students to visit with alumni, state officials and agricultural leaders.

Their first stop was the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in Harrisburg, where they met with several key leaders, including Secretary Russell Redding and experts in international trade, food safety, and plant and animal health. The students learned about the important domestic and international trade relationships for Pennsylvania agriculture. Pennsylvania is a net exporter within the United States and has strong relationships with expansion opportunities, particularly with Canada and emerging markets in the Caribbean and Asia.

The students also met with state Rep. Paul Takac to explore the inner workings of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The day wrapped up with a discussion at the Keystone Building and an evening celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the INTAG program.

The next day, the group traveled to Philadelphia to meet with representatives from Food Export USA-Northeast Region, where they learned about regional agricultural export strategies. They enjoyed lunch at the iconic Reading Terminal Market and concluded their trip with a guided tour of the Port of Philadelphia to see agricultural trade in action.

Grace Frey, of Wayne, a senior agribusiness management major and INTAG student, said the trip confirmed for her that the agricultural world offers a surprisingly diverse range of career paths, with opportunities that align with many different interests and skill sets.

“I left feeling hopeful,” she said. “Many people are actively working toward solutions for global problems, but it’s also clear that the next generation — including us — is responsible for bringing new ideas, knowledge and energy to the table.”

Frey added that meeting with the Food Export USA team was a standout moment that reinforced the INTAG minor’s real-world relevance.

“Their presentation and company goals reflected many of the major themes we discuss in class, including addressing global hunger, navigating international endeavors and the importance of collaboration,” she said. “Seeing these concepts applied in a professional setting showed me just how directly the skills and knowledge from the INTAG program translate to real-world agricultural and trade efforts.”

Frey said pursuing the INTAG minor has opened her eyes to how countries approach agriculture and how people worldwide can learn from one another. It also enabled her to study abroad, which she said was a life-changing experience.

“This experience sparked my interest in getting involved with more community-based efforts and, eventually, participating in agricultural projects abroad,” she said. “I encourage anyone with the opportunity and means to study abroad to take it. The people I met through this minor, including Dr. Noel (Habashy), have been incredible. Everyone brings an open mind to discussions, and you can tell that we are all actively thinking about ways to solve agricultural and environmental challenges.”

More information about the INTAG minor can be found online.