September seems to be the cakes month with YPARD Nigeria setting the ball rolling.On September 18th , the YPARD Nigeria team had a meetup at Agrihub Nigeria to mark the YPARD the 10years anniversary event under the theme “empowering youths in agriculture. They had a meet and greet with presentations and discussions on the challenges of youths in agriculture . This culminated in the cake cutting event. Read more on John Agboola commentary #YPARD10Years: The Formidable Platform of Young Professionals in Agriculture.
The Celebratory Cakes
September seems to be the cakes month with YPARD Nigeria setting the ball rolling.On September 18th , the YPARD Nigeria team had a meetup at Agrihub Nigeria to mark the YPARD the 10years anniversary event under the theme “empowering youths in agriculture. They had a meet and greet with presentations and discussions on the challenges of youths in agriculture . This culminated in the cake cutting event. Read more on John Agboola commentary #YPARD10Years: The Formidable Platform of Young Professionals in Agriculture.
Additionally, the Tropentag 2016 youth participants gathered together to celebrate the YPARD milestones. The day was marked by a surprise birthday cake by the organizers of the Tropentag conference with the cake being brought to the YPARD Director during the plenary as the audience sang the birthday song together. The cake was further shared at the YPARD booth which ensured each participants had a share of the YPARD 10 years milestones. Read Marina’s commentary from the Tropentag conference Enough of: “youth – this is what we want from you”
The YPARD 10 Years Ambassadors Video
To begin with Sergio Alejandro, a national of Bolivia currently living in Belgium, tells us how the YPARD network has been instrumental in his life. From helping him secure an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, beefing his professional networks, to being part of the greater youth in agriculture voice. Watch his testimonial.
Additionally, Iana Perevoshchikova , the YPARD Russia representative tells us how she got involved with YPARD by chance and how the platform has been key in her career and personal life. Watch her testimonial
Didier Pillot from Supagro, recounts the steps YPARD has taken since its formation in 2006. Watch his speech during the YPARD's session at GCARD3, as he shares his views on why it is important for universities to work with a network of young professionals like YPARD.
August 2016 Celebratory Series
In September, Jose Luis Zevallos Anfossi, a young agriculturist based in Argentina who recently joined YPARD, tells us what inspired and aspired him to join the YPARD Community, from his very fresh perspective and as someone who lives in a country where there is no YPARD Country chapter yet. He talks about his visions and hope as a new member, particularly in Latin America in this blogpost Let's work together for Rural Development
Additionally,Gipsy Bocanegra Ochoa a national of Columbia currently studying at Texas Tech University shares her testimonial on how YPARD the go to youth platform changed her professional career.
Out of the Box Initiatives
Every now and then, YPARD members creativity blows our minds off. This time round, in line with the YPARD 10 Years celebrations, one of the YPARD Nigeria Coordination Team member, Uke Praise, organized a 7-day free agribusiness and agro-allied consultation for young people who are interested or already involved in agriculture. From the first day to the last day, an average of 2-3 people per day received free consultation services.
And not to forget our very own Marina who decided that the biscuits, waffers and the Mozart's chocolate balls at the YPARD booth in Tropentag could be put into great use before being consumed.
Wondering how you can join the celebrations?
As a YPARD member,you form the pillar upon which YPARD's activities stand on. You can celebrate the YPARD community by Taking part in the "Bake a Cake" campaign, sending your message video , organising a YPARD 10 Years themed event or unleashing your own creativity to celebrate YPARD and sending all these to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Read the August Roundup on Celebrating YPARD10years with cakes, ambassador videos and YPARD country activities.
Read The 2016 Celebratory Blog Series (available in English, French and Spanish)
- January: 10 years of YPARD! What have we learned and where are we going? by Courtney Paisley
- February: A place for young amidst grey haired! by Bala Ramani
- March: YPARD member or having a midlife crisis? by Marlene Heeb
- April: YPARD, the key to access opportunities in agriculture by Sokhna Rokhaya
- May: YPARD and Me: A Fairy Tale and a Timeline by Machteld Scoolenberg
- June: A Network that Every Young Person Dreams To Be Part Of by Allan Migwi and Finding a mentor through a Random Online Search by Duncan Cheruiyot.
- July:Celebrating the ten years of YPARD: A chronicle of the times to come by Robin Robin Bourgeois
- August: Youth, Agriculture, Food and (sustainable) Development- The ‘2016’ agenda by Nidhi Nagabhatla
- September: Let's work together for Rural Development by Jose Luis Zevallos Anfossi