Delegation of Korean farmers visits Kearney
A group of farmers from Tongyeong, South Korea, visited the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center today to learn about the scope of research activities under way at the facility.
The visit was arranged by the City of Reedley, situated 4 miles east of Kearney. Reedley and Tongyeong are sister cities.
The visiting farmers produce a diversity of crops in South Korea, including citrus, strawberries, orchids, kiwis, mangos and figs. At Kearney, they toured the post harvest facility, research plots and the greenhouse. This afternoon and tomorrow they will visit local farms and packing houses.
The Korean farmers showed particular interest in UC's Navel and Valencia Export to Korea (NAVEK) program. In 2004, Korea rejected incoming citrus from California when inspectors detected fruit infected with Septoria spot, which is caused by a pest that has not been reported in Korea. UC scientists developed a fruit certification program to ensure that fruit with Septoria spot isn't shipped to Korea.
The Korean farmers' week long trip to the United States will not be all business. They plan to take time to visit the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Las Vegas, Nev., according to their guide, Sonny Er.
![Kearney superintendent of agriculture, Chuck Boldwyn, introduces the visitors to the Califonria agriculture industry. Kearney superintendent of agriculture, Chuck Boldwyn, introduces the visitors to the Califonria agriculture industry.](http://ucanr.org/blogs/Kearney/blogfiles/7430.jpg)
![MG 9619 MG 9619](http://ucanr.org/blogs/Kearney/blogfiles/7429.jpg)
![Assistant KARE program and facility coordinator, Julie Sievert, leads a tour of the Mitchell Post Harvest Research Center. Assistant KARE program and facility coordinator, Julie Sievert, leads a tour of the Mitchell Post Harvest Research Center.](http://ucanr.org/blogs/Kearney/blogfiles/7431.jpg)
![Korean visitors tour Kearney's extensive research plantings. Korean visitors tour Kearney's extensive research plantings.](http://ucanr.org/blogs/Kearney/blogfiles/7432.jpg)
![South Korean farmers pose with a banner from home at Kearney. South Korean farmers pose with a banner from home at Kearney.](http://ucanr.org/blogs/Kearney/blogfiles/7428.jpg)