Spring break takes K-State at Salina students to France to study agricultural subsidies

Media Relations and Marketing
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-0117
Phone: 785-532-6415
Fax: 785-532-6418

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Sources: Kathy Brockway, 785-826-2695, kjbrock@salina.k-state.edu;
and Fred Guzek, 785-826-2648, fguzek@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-826-2642, kmayes@salina.k-state.edu

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

SPRING BREAK TAKES K-STATE AT SALINA STUDENTS TO FRANCE TO STUDY AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES

SALINA -- Eight members of Kansas State University at Salina's chapter of Students in Free Enterprise went to France over spring break to learn about agricultural subsidies.

The trip, March 17-23, was arranged by Kathy Brockway and Fred Guzek, both assistant professors of arts, sciences and business at K-State at Salina. Guzek makes an annual trip to France to teach each year in a partnership with the ESC-Clermont Graduate School of Management.

The focus of the trip was to study farm subsidization and its impact on and derivation from the culture of France. Students visited small farms, open-air and enclosed markets, and restaurants to see and taste the results of traditional French food production.

"A traditional American perspective places high value on efficiency and economies of scale," Guzek said. "We wanted students to experience the value of a system that supports artisan production of fine foods in concert with a cultural atmosphere that promotes the social value of dining."

Students kept written, video and photographic journals of the trip and will combine these records of the experience into a module for use by faculty in economics and marketing courses.

"The culture in France was amazing," said Matt Torrey, junior in engineering technology-computer systems, Axtell. "Looking at numbers before I went, I expected to only see inefficiency in the agricultural and economic systems. Instead, I found amazing quality and a sense of pride in everything they do. It really changed my perspective on things back in the U.S."

Other students on the France trip included: Susie Green, junior in applied technology, Assaria; Stacey Lee, senior in professional pilot, Dwight; Matthew Autrey, sophomore in professional pilot, and Jen Augustine, senior in technology management, both of Salina; and Keith Livingston, sophomore in engineering technology, Spring Hill.

From out-of-state: Janelle Baron, junior in professional pilot, Monument, Colo.; and Brian Gigax, senior in professional pilot, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Students in Free Enterprise teams create economic opportunities in their communities by organizing community outreach projects that focus on market economics, entrepreneurship, personal financial success skills and business ethics. Members of K-State at Salina's Students in Free Enterprise chapter come from all the disciplines on the campus.