BOZEMAN - Nineteen leaders from Montana's agriculture and natural resource industries completed a 10-day international study seminar in Morocco in March, where they traveled to several regions to explore agriculture, natural resources, public policy and culture.

REAL Montana is a comprehensive two-year program offering in-depth education and training in the agriculture and natural resource industries. REAL stands for Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership. The program features eight in-state seminars; a five-day national study tour in Washington, D.C.; and a 10-to-12-day international trip. It is funded through a partnership with Montana State University Extension and private industry.

Class members represent a diverse cross section of Montana's agriculture and natural resource industries. Members of Class VI included Rusty Batie, Rob Breuer, Alexis Canen, Marla Chappell, Bailey Christoffersen, Colt Coffee, Greg Gabel, Wes Gadwa, Nate Hagen, Sheridan Hoyer, Tosha Johnson, Brad Lopez, Erin Madison, Tim McEntire, Alice Miller, Tina Nolevanko, Debbie Skibicki, Riley Slivka and Pete Steilman.

REAL Montana's international tour, such as this year's trip to Morocco, serves as a critical global component of the leadership development program, according to Tara Becken, co-director of REAL Montana. The program's mission is to build a network of informed and engaged leaders to advance the natural resource industries in Montana.

The group's journey began in northern Morocco and included visits to a large dairy and a diversified farm to learn about olive and small grain production and tour a seed cleaning and distribution facility. The group also traveled to Rabat and Fes, where they toured the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is rich with history and features one of the oldest tanneries in the world. In Meknes, the group visited the National School of Agriculture to learn about Moroccan agriculture, challenges facing producers and current research in olive production. Conversations focused on improving drought resistance, olive oil quality and innovative uses for olive pit biomass, followed by a visit to a neighboring fruit storage facility.

The group then traveled to Marrakech, stopping along the way at one of the largest diversified fruit farms in Morocco to learn about citrus production. The group also met with experts at the Regional Center for Agricultural Research, where discussions centered on date palm, olive and fruit research, with a continued focus on drought resistance and management. The afternoon included a tour of modern citrus operations in Chichaoua and time in the Agafay Desert.

The study tour concluded in Casablanca, where the group learned about international trade and how Montana commodities fit into the global picture. They toured a baking and milling school and heard from U.S. Wheat Associates representatives about opportunities for Montana wheat in Africa. Finally, the group received briefings from the U.S. Consulate and USA Pulses about the vital role of global market dynamics and trade relations in supporting Montana's producers.

"We look forward to seeing these members of our group apply the global insights they gained in Morocco to their roles as leaders for Montana's agriculture and natural resource industries," Becken said.

Members of REAL Montana Class VI graduated in May, and Class VII will launch in September.

To learn more about REAL Montana, visit https://www.montana.edu/realmontana/.