Agriculture Around the World Webinar on April 11
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Curious about how food is grown in different parts of the world? Interested in sustainability, conservation, or global career opportunities? Join us for the Agriculture Around the World Webinar on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST at https://bit.ly/worldag.

This free virtual event is open to everyone—students, educators, travelers, food lovers, and anyone interested in learning more about farming, food production, and sustainability. Featuring speakers from New Zealand, Italy, Anguilla, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, this webinar will explore how agriculture differs across regions and how it connects us all.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore diverse agricultural practices from various countries, discover international career paths in agriculture, learn about global study opportunities, and engage in interactive discussions with industry leaders.

Meet the Speakers:

Dr. Eric Neumann (New Zealand) – Originally from Illinois, Dr. Neumann is the owner of Epi-Insight Limited, a consulting firm specializing in animal health, biosecurity, and public policy. With over 25 years of experience, he has worked around the world to prevent and manage disease outbreaks in livestock.

Dr. Andrea Venturi (Italy) – A research agronomist at Western Illinois University, Dr. Venturi is passionate about sustainable farming and finding ways to produce food without harming the environment. Raised in Italy, he combines modern science with traditional farming techniques to create better agricultural solutions.

Day Hughes (Anguilla) – A high school Agricultural Science teacher, Day is helping shape the future of farming through education. Though he didn’t grow up on a farm, his interest in poultry production and agriculture education led him to study at Western Illinois University, where he is now pursuing a degree in agriculture education.

Branden McCallum (Costa Rica) – As a Conservation Reserve Program Specialist for the Farm Service Agency, Branden works with farmers to protect land and resources. Growing up on a family farm in Illinois, he saw firsthand the importance of conservation. Recently, he traveled to Costa Rica as part of the 2024 Ag Industry Tour to study international sustainability practices.

Dr. Graciela Andrango (Ecuador) – Growing up in Ecuador, where farming was a way of life for many families, Dr. Andrango developed a deep appreciation for agriculture. Now an Agribusiness Professor at Western Illinois University, she helps students understand the economics and business side of food production.

For more information, contact ac-niemann2@wiu.edu.