The 2012 Cochran Fellowship Program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), and is funded by the America for Bulgaria Foundation. It provides U.S.-based agricultural training opportunities for senior and mid-level specialists and administrators from public and private sectors who are concerned with agricultural trade, agribusiness development, management, policy, and marketing.
Twenty eight years ago, U.S. Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi envisioned providing training and support to help nations improve their agricultural systems and strengthen and enhance trade links with the United States. This year the Cochran Fellowship Program celebrates its 28th Anniversary.
Since its inception in 1984, the program has provided U.S. – based training for over 13,500 international participants from 121 countries worldwide.
Training Focus
The program offers short-term training opportunities, most ranging from two weeks to three months, depending on the objectives of the program. Participants meet with professionals in their fields, participate in field observations and industry visits, experience on-the-job training, and attend university courses and seminars.
FAS works closely with Cochran Fellowship Program and U.S. agricultural trade and market development associations to identify potential areas of training for countries participating in the program. Every effort is made to match U.S. agricultural interests with those of recipient countries.
The theme for 2012 is: Enhance Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Bulgarian Agricultural Sector.
Training Topics for 2012 are as follows:
- Grains and oilseeds farming – advanced production technologies, best management practices, sustainable production methods and policies;
- Dairy cattle farming -advanced production technologies, best management practices, sustainable production methods and policies;
- Horticulture/vegetables and orchards farming – advanced production technologies, best management practices, sustainable production methods and policies.
Program Design
Each program reflects a philosophy that training should provide participants with sound technical knowledge and the opportunity to test and practice new skills in practical situations. Therefore, most programs offer a mixture of technical instruction, practical field observations, and “hands-on” experience. Programs are specially designed in accordance with the training objectives discussed during interviews with candidates and the recommendations of the respective FAS foreign agricultural affairs officer.
Applicant Eligibility
Program participation is open to the staff of agribusinesses, government departments, universities, and other agricultural organizations. In their own countries, applicants may be managers, technicians, scientists, professors, administrators, or policy makers. All participants must be in good health. Applicants are strongly advised to have a thorough physical exam prior to traveling to the United States. Participants who are proficient in the oral and written usage of the English language are preferred.
Selection Procedures
Applications are required to be completed in English (preferably typed) and should be submitted to the FAS Sofia office at the U.S. Embassy. The deadline for submission of applications is March 9, 2012.
The application must include a detailed description of the training request.
Applications should be sent by mail to the following address:
United States Embassy, Office of Agricultural Affairs,
16 Kozyak St., 1408 Sofia, Bulgaria
or by e-mail to the following accounts:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Applications sent by mail should have a post stamp dated not later than March 9.
Interviews: A final pool of applicants will be selected and interviewed during country visits by CFP staff from USDA/Washington in March 26-30, 2012, upon further individual notification.
Committee Selection: Final approval of Cochran Fellowship Program candidates will be made by a USDA committee on the basis of a candidate’s qualifications, an interview, and country specific training needs.
Training Schedule
Training will take place as soon as the appropriate training program can be arranged. The Cochran Fellowship Program officer selects training sites on the basis of (1) seasonal variances and growing seasons, (2) trainer availability, and (3) schedules at training sites.
Evaluation
Program participants are expected to submit an oral and written evaluation to their program officer upon completion of their training.
Follow-Up
After the training program is completed, trainers and program participants correspond with one another to ensure the objectives of the training were met. This type of relationship is strongly encouraged to extend the training benefits to all involved.
Cochran Alumni are encouraged to “keep in touch”. One of the possible ways to do this is through the Cochran Community on the State Alumni website.
For questions relating to the application process and to submit an application, please contact:
United States Embassy
Office of Agricultural Affairs
16 Koziak St.
1408 Sofia, Bulgaria
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Tel: 939 57 20, 939 57 74
Or
Cochran Fellowship Program
USDA/FAS/ICD/Food Industries Division
14th and Independence Avenue, SW
Washington DC 20250-1086
http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/cochran/cochran.asp
