Discover Agriculture In Morocco - Faculty Study Tour

Summer Program 2023

June 11, 2023 to June 24, 2023 (participants leave the USA on June 10, 2023)

9 Cities: Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Tangier, Saidia, Oujda, and Berkane

14 Days & 13 Nights

35 Meals : 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners

$3,500 per person

• Based on double occupancy and contingent upon a minimum of 15 participants
• Private motorcoach transportation with free WiFi
• Gratuities to local guides, dining room servers, and hotel porters
• In-country airfare from Casablanca to Oujda

Our 14-day study tour explores the agriculture, rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and regional gastronomy of Morocco, including visits to the Atlantic coast, the Atlas Mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea. Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in Morocco, with over half the active labor force working in farming.  During this program, you will visit large commercial farms and local smallholder farms as well as subsistence operations, markets, and value-added operations, along with institutions of higher education in agronomy, rural development, and scientific research. The program combines these visits with cultural exchange, recreation, music, culinary delights, and many more adventures.

Moroccan agriculture is divided between a modern industrial sector that primarily produces food for export and smallholdings that produce food mainly for local markets and farmers’ own subsistence. There is a striking dichotomy between large and small farms where more than 70% of farmers work fewer than five hectares accounting for only a quarter of the total land under cultivation. With university professors and researchers, we’ll explore the question of how the two distinctly different models of farming can work together and move forward to a sustainable future.

Agricultural diversity is one of Morocco’s greatest assets and offers many opportunities to learn about different sectors. Sugar crops and cereals are among Morocco's leading agricultural products, while other major crops include potatoes, olives, tomatoes, and citrus fruit. Fish is also a significant industry, representing 55% of food exports.  Livestock is another major sector of Moroccan agriculture, contributing to the income of more than 80% of the rural population with large numbers of cattle, sheep, goats, and dromedaries (Arabian camels) grazing millions of hectares of rangelands.

Program Staff

• Dr. Melissa Hendrickson – 20 years university experience teaching agribusiness and 12 years experience leading international programs.
• Elaine Obenshain – Morocco resident for the past 5 years. 30+ years in retail marketing and brand management. Developed ENGAGE, a virtual exchange program between US and Moroccan universities for ESAFE, the agricultural department at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. ENGAGE uses agricultural themes to build student international cultural competencies.
• Ahmed Yanouri – Director of American Moroccan Alliance, dual US/Moroccan citizen and part-year resident of both countries.  Entrepreneur with hospitality businesses in Texas and agribusiness Morocco. 10 years experience leading teacher exchange programs in Morocco.

Dates of Travel

• Travel Departure Date: Depart USA on June 10, 2023. Arrive in Casablanca, Morocco on June 11, 2023.
• Travel Return Date: Depart Casablanca, Morocco on June 24, 2022

Program Goals & Objectives

This program incorporates site visits and discussions that allow teachers to experience first-hand the similarities and differences between US and Moroccan agriculture, education, and the regulatory processes of each while gaining an appreciation for the unique challenges each system faces, and finding common ground through immersion with cultural, educational, and professional exchanges.

Participants are provided the opportunity to increase their knowledge of agricultural practices, cultural practices, and regulatory differences faced by farms and agribusinesses in Morocco.  Three of 4 U.S. students working in agriculture will work in a company that engages in international business.  Teachers with international experience have a wealth of personal examples, stories, and resources to bring to the classroom.  This program is uniquely designed to expand your international experience in African/Moroccan agriculture, Muslim culture, and arid farming.

About  The Program

This program focuses on the diversity of people and culture as it relates to the United States and international agriculture. Importance is placed on living and working in a global, pluralistic society, and developing communicative approaches for solving technical and social problems. Participants will gain cultural perspectives and broaden their knowledge of Moroccan society.

Morocco’s abundant variety of plants, animals, foods, agricultural practices, and cultural customs and traditions facilitate the teaching and learning of cultural pluralism in agriculture. The itinerary includes sites in central and northern areas of Morocco, and participants will learn about sustainable farming practices, local and regional food systems, and agritourism. Participants will meet with students as they explore a variety of small and medium-sized family farms. Additional site visits include the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Ministry of Education, the National School of Agriculture in Meknes, and the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy & Veterinary Medicine in Rabat.

While exploring the rich history of Morocco and the modernity exemplified by its position as the Gateway to Africa, participants will travel through the many faces of this magical country that is embracing the future with a vision toward a sustainable world.

Highlights

• Gain cultural perspectives and broaden knowledge of international studies.
• Experience small fishing villages along the Mediterranean shore.
• Tour a medium-size family farm that was founded by a Moroccan woman as a sole proprietor. See its growth over 20 years and its impact on the surrounding community.
• Learn about the changing supply chain in the Carob industry – from local Moroccans collected wild carob pods high in the Atlas Mountains, to new carob tree farms, industrial processing, and international export.
• Tour Tanger Med International Port, a global logistics gateway located on the Strait of Gibraltar and connected to more than 180 ports worldwide.
• Visit four UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Morocco
• Additional agricultural site visits in Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Berkane, Oujda, Saidia, and Tangier.

Join Us!

Come travel with our diverse international team of experts to create your lifetime memory. Our experience in agricultural and natural resource projects, strong in-country networks and relationships with local communities, opportunities for volunteer and service-learning projects, and hands-on cultural activities will open new horizons in your classrooms.

American Moroccan Alliance has been bringing educators to Morocco for 10 years. First and foremost, we make traveling easy, exciting, and safe for you! Our professional contacts and intimate knowledge of the country is the uniqueness we bring to our study tours.

Expenses Not Included in the Program

International Airfare

Meals & snacks except as noted

Alcohol of any type

Beverages / Bottled water

Travel Insurance - optional

International Emergency Medical Insurance policy - required

Personal Expenses

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Eligibility Requirements ​

• Open to faculty/administrators and teachers with an interest or specialty in agriculture. 
• Certificate of good health and current vaccinations, as required. This includes COVID vaccinations and boosters.
• CV and Letter of Interest stating why you would like to participate in this program. Please include at least one way that you would like to build on the experiences and learnings of this program by engaging your students and/or faculty to build international classroom collaborations.
• During the study program, the participants will develop curricula for classroom presentation highlighting agricultural comparisons between the U.S. and Morocco.

Confirmation

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Bookings are confirmed on a first come/first served basis as determined by payment of the full deposit.
• If there is more interest than program space available, a waitlist will be created for the next program

Precautions

• Not wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems (extended periods of walking and sitting on a bus)
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• No serious medical conditions (because of potential high temperatures during the program)
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate