The delegation left Mexico City early yesterday morning and flew to the coastal town of Veracruz.  We separated into various groups.  Lt. Governor Skillman, and some delegation members, met with the Secretaries of Agriculture and Commerce from the state of Veracruz.  The Lt. Governor left with the expectation that the agriculture secretary will put forward a proposal for joint collaboration in the next few weeks.

Another group visited a nearby hog farm that was large, modern and extremely well-managed.  It was useful to see and compare production and management practices, most of which were the same between Indiana and Mexico.

A third group drove nearly 100 kilometers to Cordoba and visited a large soybean and canola processing plant called Patrona.  While their soybean processing technology mirrored that found in U.S. plants, this facility was unique because it also manufactured its own plastic bottles for the soybean oil.  Their factory (which has marble floors) manufactures 192 million bottles each year and utilizes high-tech U.S. equipment to do this.

The final group of our academic representatives visited Veracruz University to meet their counterparts and explore new partnership opportunities.  The university has a prestigious archeological curriculum focused on the ancient civilizations.  It also has an ecological specialty and owns 600 hectares of rain forest land to focus on natural resources and conservation research.

A beautiful seaside dinner for the delegation at the end of our day provided us an opportunity to reflect on the week and our many achievements.  The success of this trade mission, and our visit to Mexico, will build on the successful trade missions previously led by Gov. Daniels and Lt. Gov. Skillman and will benefit all Hoosiers.

The new relationships and business opportunities were many.  There clearly will be stronger ties between Indiana and Mexican colleges and universities, more investment in each other's businesses and more support for community and rural development.  The people we met here were extremely hospitable, dynamic, creative and simply had a desire to make a better life for their families and communities -- values we very much have in common.

Our delegation is returning to Indianapolis today, Friday, Feb. 8, after a successful visit.