I went to China with Alan Acheson and 15 other Illinois farmers back in March. It was one of the most rewarding experiences any one could have when you consider this is one of our biggest Ag markets – and will be bigger in the future.

Even so, our tour, sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau, was focused on markets and not people. We had limited chances to actually meet the Chinese citizens who likely eat pork or chicken fed from American grains.

I saw Alan a few weeks ago at the Farm Progress Show, where he told me about a chance meeting he and his family had with a Chinese girl working at The Dells in Wisconsin this summer.

Now, Alan had never been out of the country before this trip in March, but he came back with a new perspective on the world. He was enthused to strike up a conversation with "Joey," especially when he learned her home was a city we had visited in China.

Once Alan and his wife Holly got to know her they invited her down to his farm in Rushville, Ill.  She had no car so she had to find her way by train, not very easy in the Midwest. She came at a good time, just before harvest began.

"Joey was very good at English and just the nicest person you could ever meet," says Alan.

On her first day, Holly showed her around the Rushville High School where she works, while the school was in session. Alan took her into their church to show her where they worship and were married. They took her to Springfield to see the Lincoln sites and tour the old and new state capital. 

"She commented that in China an average citizen cannot get into a government building," says Alan. 

The following morning they spent time on the farm, where Joey drove a tractor, fed the cattle and drove the 4-wheeler - something a girl from a city of millions in China doesn’t usually get a chance to do. 

"She said she would like to work for me on the farm but I told her it probably wouldn’t work because she was scared of the cows," recalls Alan. 

That night they all went to St. Louis to see a Cardinal game. "I spent most of my time just watching her expressions because I could see how this is so much different to her than what we experienced in China," says Alan. "She was surprised that Americans even talked during the game because she said that in China everyone remains quiet at a sporting event out of respect for the players."

Photo: Jiewen "Joey" Zeng, with, from left: Alan,
Holly, daughters Katie and keely Acheson 

She had never heard of or seen the St. Louis Arch before, so off they went. Throughout the visit Joey shared her thoughts about what Chinese people think of their government and what they think of Americans. "We had many in depth conversations about the many differences and similarities there are between our two countries," says Alan. 

Next morning they all had a crying session as they took her to the train, not sure when or if they would see each other again. She had to work one more day at the water park, then was headed to New York to see a Chinese friend for four days. 

"Somehow her friend in New York totally messed up her travel plans and guess what?  She called to say she was stuck in a hotel for four days in Chicago and wondered if it would work out for her to come back to visit before she flew back to China," says Alan.

Joey got the train to Springfield that evening and the Achesons got to spend three more days with their new Chinese friend. She went shopping and prepared a “real” Chinese meal for the family. The Achesons took her to their annual Smiles Day parade in Rushville and the homecoming football game that night. They had a wiener roast one evening and got to do more American things before saying good bye all over again.

"Joey now says her American last name is Acheson," says Alan. "I'm not sure who got the most out of the experience, her or us! This has been such a rewarding experience for our entire family."

(Please comment below)