Photos from the first few days in DC

Here are a few photos from the past few days...We took a group photo with Congressman Putnam before he toured us through the Capitol. Today we were able to visit with Captain Watts on Homeland Security. It has been a busy three days, yet we have only begun. Hope all is well back in Florida!

Class VII Goes to Washington!

What a time to be in the nation's capitol--from the bailout to the election, it's an exciting time to be here in DC. Our trip started in phenomenal fashion, with a private tour of the U.S. Capitol by Congressman Adam Putnam. Sitting in the House floor listening to Congressman Putnam talk about the history of the building, of the House of Representatives and what his experiences are serving as a Congressman, was incredible. Several of the group commented that the trip couldn't get any better and that we should just go home. The evening didn't end there though, after our tour, the whole group and Congressman Putnam went to dinner at the Old Ebbitt Grill, a Washington landmark.

On Tuesday we began the day with Dr. James Thurber, a professor from American University. Dr. Thurber has launched the national seminar for many classes and did a great job putting "politics in perspective", especially in relation to the upcoming election. We then learned about China from Mr. Robert Suettinger, a former National Intelligence Officer and had a briefing with Deputy Secretary Conner at the USDA.

After lunch in the USDA cafeteria, we listened to Mr. Michael Whatley who represents the Consumer Energy Alliance, speak about renewable and alternative energy. Since we are headed to Iowa and Illinois after our DC experience, the topic of energy and enthanol are of great interest and it's also being discussed and debated here in DC.

We then took the metro back to Capitol Hill and met with the staffers of the House Ag Committee. The work of these staffers is admirable--from consensus-building, to drafting legislation, to making sure Bills meet the exacting standards of the rules committee, these staffers are individuals who are truly involved in the policy process.

We ended the evening with a lobbying discussion at Bullfeathers Restaurant. Joe and Melanie Parsons (Class VI) joined the group as they now reside in Virginia. The key points of the discussion were to get involved and know your politicians and staff--not new information, but good to reiterate the importance none the less.

After dinner, most of the group disbanded to watch the Presidential debate or to continue their own debates on what they have heard these last two days. Much lively discussion has taken place among group members and I only believe it will continue throughout the next 8 days.

We are now preparing to travel to the National War College to learn about issues surrounding homeland security. We have never been to the War College and I think it will be a real experience for the group.

I hope all is well in sunny Florida!

Hannah

7 Days and Counting....

Greetings Class VII!

I hope you all got my email detailing our trip and also the agenda. Please note, the agenda is not complete and even today has changed a good deal. I will send an updated agenda towards the end of the week, but even then, it will be subject to change with all that is going on in DC.

Also, when you arrive at the airport on Monday, you should be able to walk up to the United check-in counter, give your name and flight number and be able to check in. Rochelle and I plan to be there by 11:00 a.m. if you have any trouble. Please check-in, go through security and we'll see everyone at the departure gate.

Remember to pack lightly as there are luggage restrictions which you are responsbile for (I'm sorry--United didn't have this policy when we booked the tickets this spring) and to pack warmly as I noticed a low in Des Moines this week will be 39F.

I look forward to seeing you all next Monday!

Hannah

You never know...

...where your thank you cards might wind up...http://www.keepdavidmillersupt.com/testimony.php

Good luck Superintendent Miller!!

Preparations for the October Trip

Hello!

Instead of innudating your inbox, I'm going to instead post information about our October trip here. Let's embrace all the technology that's available to us!

The agenda is coming together. It is my hope to have your packets mailed out towards the middle of next week. I did want to give you the following in case you needed a book to read on the plane or while we are on the bus! Here is a bit of a reading list in support of our trip (with the amazon.com link):
Beyond Tiananmen: The Politics of US-China Relations 1989-2000 by Robert Suettinger http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Tiananmen-Politics-U-S-China-Relations/dp/0815782063/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221750569&sr=1-1
The Life and Times of the Gun Powder Kid by Bill Bryson (recommended by the IA Ag L'ship Program Leader as a fun account of growing up in Iowa)
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Times-Thunderbolt-Kid-Memoir/dp/076791936X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221750730&sr=1-2
Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Heathens-Spirits-During-Depression/dp/0553384244/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221750822&sr=1-1

If this is your first trip to Washington, DC, I strongly encourage you to do a little research before our trip so you can make the best use your evening "on your own". Also, while in DC, I strongly encourage you to use the metro system when possible. It's very easy to navigate and there's a metro station close to our hotel. Here's a link to the metro system: http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

I've already mentioned the dress code in a previous email, here it is again:
Plane/travel: casual attire
Monday evening, Oct. 6th: business casual
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: business attire
Friday evening, Oct. 1oth: jeans/business casual
Saturday, Sunday, Monday: jeans/business casual
Tuesday: business casual
Wednesday: business casual

Thursday:  travel attire

While in DC, we'll be staying at the Holiday Inn Capitol: http://www.hicapitoldc.com/
In Des Moines, we'll be at the Downtown Marriott Des Moines: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dsmia-des-moines-marriott-downtown/
In Chicago, we'll be at the Doubletree Magnificent Mile: http://www.doubletreemagmile.com/

Rochelle is going to be sending an email with podcast suggestions and also a clip of one of our DC speakers who was recently on "Lou Dobbs Tonight".

I took a very brief trip last week to IA and IL and while driving across the hills of Iowa, I thought to myself what a great opportunity this trip will be to see another part of the country and another part of agriculture. I am looking forward this national seminar experience!

Please let me know if you have any questions. More information will be forthcoming. For those of your classmates who are not "bloggers", you may want to prod them to check this out!
Hannah

Podcast use on the rise

Thought you might be interested in this article that reports on the surge in the use of podcasts: http://bulldogreporter.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=9499B3493EE44C75BEA9190F095B722C&AudID=213D92F8BE0D4A1BB62EB3DF18FCCC68

Social Networking Sites @ Work

Especially for everyone who attended the recent alumni meeting in Orlando, you may find this article interesting regarding a business use for social networking sites:

http://www.abajournal.com/news/biglaw_firm_recruits_on_facebook/