World Ag Expo, exchange students come to the Valley

Tuesday marked the start of the Central Valley’s 53rd annual World Ag Expo. Hosted by the International Agri-Center in Tulare, the World Ag Expo displays the latest in farm equipment from more than 1,450 exhibitors, drawing over 100,000 visitors. With Congress in session this week, I unfortunately had to miss this year’s World Ag Expo. However, my staff attended and enjoyed celebrating the Valley’s farming expertise.

Back in DC, I was honored to meet with students from the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program on Wednesday. Administered by the State Department, the FLEX program awards scholarships to a select number of high school students from Europe and Asia to spend an academic year in the United States, living with a family and attending an American high school.

These students – from Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine – are enjoying their time at Mt. Whitney High School, Redwood High School, and University Preparatory High School in Visalia. I hope they will develop a lifelong connection to the Central Valley and their host families!