Brayan Saldana will take his animal science education to Dalhart, Texas, for an internship with Hilmar Cheese Co. this summer where he hopes to learn enough from geneticists to return to his native Panama to improve dairy operations and milk quality in his country.

Saldana is from San Carlos, a small town in the province of Chiriqui. He is a fourth-generation small dairy farmer, but the first in his family to leave Panama to study overseas. He officially graduates and earns his bachelor’s of science degree in animal science this fall, but is participating in U of A commencement ceremonies with the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food Life Sciences this weekend.

Based on his high school grades and extracurricular experiences, he earned a government-sponsored scholarship to the U of A and now an internship with a leading producer of dairy products.

“A group of students and I, interested in the development of agriculture, talked about the need of a higher institute of agriculture that has bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees that the country needs and does not have at this time,” said Saldana. “During my speech in the plenary session of the assembly, I suggested that we should help producers of milk with a grade of ‘C’ improve production to get to grades ‘B’ and ‘A.'”

The grades refer to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, a set of minimum standards and requirements established by the Food and Drug Administration for regulating the production, processing and packaging of milk. Grade A means all standards of the PMO are met while Grade C means there are some violations, but the milk is not considered adulterated — the use of soap, acid, starch, table sugar or chemicals that may cause health hazards.

Saldana’s proposals were a hit. He says the government recently approved the budget for the creation of an agricultural institute and in the last year grade ‘C’ milk producers received an increase of several cents per liter of milk to be used on facility improvements.

“I am happy that the ideas from a group of young leaders discussed in an assembly will be a reality in a few years,” said Saldana. “I have not been part of the implementation of any of these programs, and cannot assure they were or will be implemented due to our ideas, but I prefer to think we indirectly contributed.”

Upon arriving in Fayetteville in January 2014, the first thing he had to do was learn English. By the spring semester of 2015, he was a full-time animal science student.

Saldana helped form Agro-Panama, a group of Panamanian students studying various agricultural topics. The group’s mission is to improve the relationship between the U of A and agricultural sector of Panama, to help create internships and student exchanges, and share cultural traditions with the university community.

“There are more than 100 Panamanians at the U of A,” said Saldana. “Ninety percent came with the same scholarship I had. We were chosen from many others and our job is to return to the country and contribute to the social, cultural, environmental and economic development of our country.”

Hilmar Cheese Co. is a large cheese, whey protein, lactose and milk powder manufacturer. Saldana is interning at Avi-Lanche Jerseys in Dalhart, Texas, through August.

“I will go through all the different operations that take place on the farm, ranging from maternity, artificial insemination, milking rooms, management of farm nutrition, veterinary care, the vaccination program, handling of sick animals and more,” said Saldana. “I will work with geneticists and hope to learn if I can implement a program on my own farm and then use it as examples for neighbors and in my community. I will also learn about nutrition and the general care of animals to maximize profits.”

Saldana hopes to establish a research farm and continue the Panamanian pipeline with the U of A.

“I would like to give students the opportunity to work and get to know the agricultural sector of my country,” said Saldana. “My goal is to one day be able to call a professor and say ‘send me two or three students this summer for internships and don’t worry about food and lodging — I will provide it.'”

His vision includes a lab for in-vitro fertilizations and embryo transfers. Saldana is planning to pursue a master’s degree in reproductive biotechnology in bovines and Panama and plans to teach at some point in his career.

“I have had the opportunity to instruct Brayan in a number of animal science classes since he first arrived at the University of Arkansas,” said instructor Kathi Jogan. “It was immediately apparent to me that Brayan was not only focused on learning to better himself, but to take the information he learned back to Panama to share with his countrymen.”

“The U of A and Bumpers College have taught me you can get where you want with self-confidence and determination,” said Saldana. “Running the extra mile is what separates you in achieving success. No matter where you go, do not take the road already traveled — go where there is no road and leave your own mark. The most important thing is to enjoy the journey. Leaving everything that matters in your country of origin is difficult, but being here brings joys and memories you will carry the rest of your life.”