By Scout Nelson
Six students from National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) in Taiwan visited Manhattan, Kansas, from March 28 to April 4, 2026, as part of a bilateral agricultural youth exchange program. The program focuses on strengthening understanding of Kansas agriculture and trade relations with Taiwan. The students were selected based on their strong leadership abilities, communication skills, and interest in agriculture.
“This exchange strengthens the relationship between Kansas and Taiwan while building a global understanding of agriculture,” said Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, Director of the Ag Marketing Division at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. “We are grateful to the hosts who made the students feel welcome and helped create lasting connections.”
During their visit, the students explored a wide range of agricultural and educational sites. They visited the State Capitol and met with industry leaders to learn about policies and trade. Their tour included Mars Candy in Topeka, the American Royal Spring Livestock Show, the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, and the Museum of BBQ in Kansas City. They also visited DeLong Grain and BNSF Railway in Edgerton, the KU Biodiesel Lab and Pines Garden & Market in Lawrence, Ag Partners in Wamego, Benz Farms in St. Marys, Vermillion Valley Equine Center in Belvue, and Booth Creek Wagyu in Westmoreland. In Manhattan, they toured Kansas Wheat, Grain Craft, Manhattan Commission Company, and Kansas State University’s agronomy and horticulture departments.
The participating students included Yu-Chieh Chen, pursuing a Ph.D. in applied economics; Ho-Hsueh Hsieh, studying international agriculture; Chih Hsuan Lee, majoring in animal science; Ching Li, majoring in agronomy; Li-Wen Wang, majoring in horticulture; and Chin Wu, majoring in agribusiness. Their faculty advisor was Yun-Ju Chen, specializing in applied economics.
“I was truly impressed by the scale of operations which demonstrated highly mechanized and systematized processes,” said Wang. “What left an even deeper impression on me, however, was the coexistence of both large-scale and more delicate, human-centered approaches to agriculture.”
The Taiwanese students were hosted by Kansas State University students Natalee Bray of Scandia, Jedidiah Gibson of Manhattan, Cappi Hoeting of Stockton, and Ainsley Pecenka of Spring Hill. These students will travel to Taiwan in November as part of the exchange.
“This experience allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for both the diversity and the connection within agriculture around the world,” said Bray. “While production practices, resources, and challenges may look very different from place to place, there is still a shared passion and purpose that connects people in agriculture globally.”
The program is coordinated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver. Sponsors include the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, K-State College of Agriculture, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture. In 2025, Kansas exported $210 million in agricultural products to Taiwan, making it the state’s fifth-largest trading partner.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-lisegagne
Categories: Kansas, Business, Education, General