Nelson Travels to Morocco as Part of LeadAR Class 20
Dr. Desarae Nelson, director of TRIO Student Support Services at UA Little Rock, participated in an unforgettable trip to Morocco as part of her experience with Class 20 of LeadAR.
LeadAR is a leadership program from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture designed to help Arkansans broaden their understanding of issues and opportunities facing our state and strengthen their ability to make a difference.
“Our class wanted to be the first to visit the continent of Africa,” Nelson said. “From our first initial meeting last year at the 4-H Center in Little Rock, we coined the term ‘Harambee,’ which is a Swahili word meaning all together. It was our nod to our desire to visit Africa and to make that our international study tour location.”
Members took a 10-day international study tour of Morocco in September, where they explored vibrant cities, rich agriculture, and unique cultural experiences that deepened their understanding of Morocco’s agricultural landscape. They met with a broad array of leaders including ambassadors, farmers, government ministers, corporate executives, nonprofit leaders, and other stakeholders.
“Morocco has a rich history and beautiful traditions that made it an ideal location,” Nelson said. “We visited several cities throughout Morocco which provided an in-depth look at the various agricultural industries, village traditions and markets, and religious observances.”
The trip began with a memorable dinner at Rick’s Café, which was made famous by the movie “Casablanca.” They visited important historic sites such as the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Hassan II Mosque, and the Royal Stables.
The international tour included a large focus on agriculture. They visited the Morocco National College of Agriculture and the Qualipole Ministry of Agriculture to gain insights into Morocco’s agricultural policies and innovations.
Additionally, they met with Kamal Hidane, the director of rural development for Fes, to learn about rural agricultural practices through the Kansara Rural Development Project, which showcased the cultivation of almonds, olives, and pomegranates.
The trip included memorable experiences like quad biking across dunes and riding camels across the desert.
“Morocco was absolutely amazing! It’s truly hard to pick a favorite part of the trip but being a country girl, I had a fantastic time riding quads in the Agafay Desert for two hours,” Nelson said. “The landscape and views were breathtaking, and it was so cool to ride through the mountains and share that experience with my cohort. I also enjoyed riding camels through the desert, visiting a Berber village and making traditional bread, and seeing the beautiful architecture in the mosques.”
The group learned about many local operations, including winemaking, breadmaking, chicken production, leather-making techniques, and the production of Argan oil.
“It was certainly an experience to visit a leather tannery, and the smell will probably stick with me for a long time but the leather goods were well crafted,” Nelson said. “Navigating the markets and souks was also exciting. I loved visiting the citrus farms and trying fresh fruit from the trees. While the travel was hectic at times, I’m glad we were able to visit several cities because they were all very unique.”
Nelson’s graduated from the program Nov. 15, and she is grateful for the experience she’s had and would encourage others to apply.
“This experience for the past two years has expanded my career aspirations while also helping to grow both personally and professionally,” Nelson said. “The connections, interactions, and experiences with my amazing cohort were incredible, and many of us have discussed collaborations in the future for my students and our communities. I also received two marriage proposals while in Morocco, so I may just find myself residing in Morocco in the future! I would definitely like to encourage others to consider applying for future LeadAR cohorts and gaining a similar experience. It was truly the best investment I could’ve made in myself and my career.”
