A memorandum of cooperation and understanding (MOU) was signed on September 20, 2021, promoting an academic exchange, cooperation and collaboration between Iowa State University and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development in Kosovo. The MOU was signed by Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Associate Provost for Academic Programs at Iowa State University and Mr. Faton Peci, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development in Kosovo. Minister Peci was invited to Iowa State University and his visit coordinated by the Global Programs office in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Dr. Curtis Youngs, Professor of Animal Science and ME Ensminger Endowed Chair of International Animal Agriculture at Iowa State University. Dr. Youngs has been collaborating with individuals from Kosovo since 2011, when he hosted a Borlaug Fellow from the University of Prishtina (Kosovo); he has continued the collaboration through various training, teaching and outreach opportunities at Iowa State and throughout Kosovo.

During their visit, Minister Peci and his two delegates also had the opportunity to meet with President Wendy Wintersteen; David Acker, Associate Dean, Global Engagement; Dan Thomson, Department Chair, Animal Science; Jay Harmon, Associate Dean, Extension Programs and Outreach; John Crespi, Director of Center For Agricultural & Rural Development (CARD); Billi Hunt, Executive Director of America's Cultivation Corridor; Shelley Taylor, Director, Global Programs; and Dean Dan Grooms, Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, the group visited several research and teaching farms at the university and were given a tour of the ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory by Katie Woodard.

*Photographs courtesy of Minister Faton Peci