Rob: Oklahoma's Ag leadership program is designed to help potential
leaders better understand their local economies and their place in the global
market, which is why each class has an international experience.
Joining me now is the program's director, Dr. Joe Williams.
Well, how important, Joe, is the global market
to today's agricultural sector?
Joe Williams: Rob, the global market is extremely important in today's
agricultural sector.
It's becoming a world economy where there's trade, both imports
and exports.
U S producers must understand this, must work to compete on a global
competitive market.

Rob: Now, Oklahoma Ag Leadership, they travel all across the state and
even across the United States, but there's also an international
component, and you're about to take that early next year, tell us a
little about that.
Williams: Thank you.
Yes, we are getting ready, and this is the most exciting seminar of all of
them we do over the two-year program.
In February, 2008, we are going to China and South Korea for 12 days.
Rob: Now, Joe, I had the privilege of going with you a little over a year,
almost two years ago, to Brazil, and I'm always pleased to see some of the
people that get to attend these, how it kind of changes attitudes about
the larger scope of agriculture.
Williams: Right.
Rob, it's important that U S producers and people involved in the Ag
industry understand and experience first-hand the international cultures
involved, see what our competitors are doing first-hand.
And, it just totally broadens their perspectives and literally
stretches and stresses them when they learn to understand what they are
competing against and the potential for
their products in other countries.
Rob: Well, it certainly is a fantastic program, and
we appreciate you being here.
Now, to learn more about Oklahoma Ag Leadership, you can head to our web
site where we will have a link under this week's value added.