U of I students gain global perspective of agriculture during Spain trip

The farms in Spain provide niche products and high-quality food. Rachel Wandell, however, was struck to discover Spaniards buy much of their food directly from producers at community markets that are steeped in history, some dating back centuries.

Traveling with seven University of Idaho classmates taking AGED 4070: Global Agricultural and Life Sciences Systems changed her perspective on international travel and the agricultural industry. Spain was one of four countries students enrolled in the class could choose to visit during spring break to fulfill an international travel component. Other students in the class traveled to Ireland, Taiwan or Singapore.

The students spent the first portion of the semester-long course developing a strong understanding of Spain including the culture, education system, agricultural industry and politics. They presented what they learned in a broad profile on the country before leaving for the immersion experience.

Once in the country the classmates explored an agricultural market, spoke with producers about water policy in Spain, toured a sheep and cheesemaking facility and checked out local museums.

“It was really cool to see that variety of agriculture,” said Wandell, a senior studying agricultural education and animal and veterinary science: production option. “At the cheesemaking facility, we got to try Idiazábal cheese that was at the one-year mark, the two-year mark, the seven-year mark and the nine-year mark.”

At each stop, course participants saw small agricultural operations with an emphasis on local food economies, which are typical of the country.

The group toured a market in Ordizia that was established over 500 years ago and learned about its relevance to Spain’s agricultural industry. Historically, the Ordizia market was important because it was the first market of the week in the region and set prices for agricultural goods at other markets.

For Wandell, the market was also a great place to learn more about their agricultural policy.

“There was actually a mandate passed through the Spanish government many, many years ago that kind of ordered the market to be every Wednesday,” she said. “That way consumers could depend on it, and the people in the market would constantly be getting business.”

Spain is renowned for its viticulture industry, and the group toured a grafting facility as well as a vine and wine museum. Grafting is a technique used to join together parts from two separate plants, so they grow as one plant.

The grafting facility is especially important to Spain’s viticulture because they’re producing American rootstocks that naturally resist the pest phylloxera, which once nearly eliminated viticulture in Spain. In this process, a Spanish vine is grafted to an American rootstock, allowing the Spanish varieties to survive. The facility has been owned by Jaizkibel Garcia Salvatierra’s family for many generations.

Not only was this stop educational, but it also brought friendly Vandal faces. Salvatierra, who currently works for her family’s operation in Spain, completed her American study abroad experience with U of I.

“Grafting is not something that I’ve been exposed to in my U.S. experiences,” Wandell said.

All of these experiences have helped Wandell and her classmates grow personally and professionally.

“Traveling abroad really gave me a full scope on where other countries may be coming from in terms of policy work as well as things that I can incorporate if I were to have a future Extension career, such as grafting.” she said.

Three professionals within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences — Erin Brooks, a professor in the Department of Soil and Water Systems; Surine Greenway, an Extension educator in Owyhee County; and Kacie Hoffman, director of recruitment and student engagement; joined the students.