National Ag Day: Celebrating CAEP Hosts and Exchange Visitors- The Heart of the 2025 Theme; “Together, We Grow”
National Ag Day is a time to celebrate agriculture’s pivotal role in the United States and worldwide. Agriculture is not just the backbone of our economy but the foundation of our daily lives. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear and the products we rely on, agriculture touches every aspect of our existence. In the U.S., the agriculture industry employs millions of people and is a vital part of the global supply chain.
Here at CAEP, we are proud that agriculture is at the heart of our international exchange programs, which bring together young adults from around the world to share and learn about ideas, beliefs, and practices in agriculture. Through our paid agriculture exchange programs, participants gain hands-on experience and have opportunities to immerse themselves in diverse cultural experiences that broaden their worldview.
The theme this year—”Together, We Grow”—couldn’t be more fitting. At the heart of this celebration are the CAEP hosts across the United States, who are the true heroes of our agricultural exchange programs. These dedicated CAEP hosts—from ranchers and crop farmers to vegetable and flower growers and winemakers—are shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders, generously sharing their knowledge and skills with international interns and trainees. They are not just teaching new skills and techniques; they are fostering personal growth, building friendships, and helping young adults experience life in the United States in profound ways.
CAEP hosts are the backbone of our programs, offering invaluable hands-on experience to participants from around the world. Whether it’s early mornings in the fields, tending to animals, or helping manage a harvest, our hosts provide essential life skills that will stay with these young adults for years to come. These experiences go far beyond day-to-day duties; they provide exchange visitors with an understanding of American life, culture, and values and leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.
The CAEP program is more than just an opportunity to learn new agricultural skills—it’s about immersing oneself in the life and culture of the United States. Our hosts go beyond the fields, sharing not only their knowledge but also their homes, their holidays, and their personal experiences. Whether it’s gathering around the table for a home-cooked meal, celebrating traditional American holidays together, or simply spending time outside of the training program to connect on a personal level, our hosts help trainees and interns gain a deeper understanding of life in the U.S. These shared moments create lasting memories, foster meaningful connections, and allow participants to experience American culture in ways that transcend the farm, leaving them with invaluable lessons that extend far beyond their agricultural training.
The true power of our exchange programs lies in the relationships that are built between hosts and participants. These relationships are founded on mutual respect and a shared passion for agriculture, and they often grow into lifelong friendships. Our hosts are not just mentors—they are partners in creating a global network of agricultural professionals. By welcoming young people from different cultures to their operations, our hosts are helping to cultivate a more connected, understanding, and collaborative world. Through these personal and professional exchanges, both hosts and participants gain valuable perspectives that help them grow both in their careers and as individuals.
On National Ag Day, we celebrate agriculture in the United States, and the amazing hosts and exchange visitors who are growing together through the CAEP program. They are not just sharing their knowledge of agriculture—they are sharing their lives, their communities, and their culture. CAEP hosts are helping to create the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural leaders, and they are doing it through more than just teaching skills—they are building bridges, one relationship at a time. Together, we grow, not only in our fields but in understanding, friendship, and the shared vision of a stronger, more connected world. Thank you to all the CAEP hosts for your unwavering commitment to shaping the future of agriculture and helping to grow the next generation of farmers from around the world!
