By Scout Nelson
The 2026 Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is now accepting applications from Kansas State University for undergraduate students who are interested in agriculture and want to represent Kansas internationally. The program will take place in Taiwan from November 20–28, 2026, offering a full week of hands-on learning and cultural exploration.
Up to six K-State students will be selected to join the exchange. During the trip, students will tour agricultural facilities, research centers, and agribusiness operations across Taiwan.
This experience helps students understand how agriculture functions in another part of the world while building leadership skills and global awareness. Each selected participant will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the K-State College of Agriculture.
A 2025 delegate, Grace Young, shared her experience by saying, “I had the opportunity to travel to Taiwan and explore its agricultural landscape firsthand. From dragon fruit farms and hydroponic systems to tea research stations and meat processing facilities, I learned so much about how farming looks in a different part of the world. Programs like this don’t just educate; they inspire future leaders to think globally, connect meaningfully, and bring fresh ideas back to Kansas agriculture.”
To apply, students must be currently enrolled undergraduates in good standing at K-State, have a strong agricultural background, hold a valid U.S. passport, and be prepared to pay part of the travel and meal costs (about $1,500). Application requirements are available on the Kansas Department of Agriculture website, and the deadline to apply is December 19, 2025. For more details, students may contact Dana Ladner on 785-564-6660 or FutureofAg@ks.gov.
This exchange is part of a bilateral partnership between K-State and National Chung Hsing University, established in 2023. Students from NCHU travel to Kansas each spring as part of the program. It is coordinated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture with support from the K-State College of Agriculture and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver.
Suzanne Ryan-Numrich highlights the value of the experience, stating, “This program offers students the chance to see agriculture from a whole new perspective. Traveling internationally challenges you in the best ways. You come back with new ideas, greater confidence, and a better understanding of how global markets connect to what we grow right here in Kansas.”
Taiwan remains an important trading partner for Kansas, importing $209 million in agricultural products in 2024. Key exports include beef products, soybeans, corn, wheat, and baking preparations.
Photo Credit: kansas-department-of-agriculture
Categories: Kansas, Business, Education