Luke Adams' internship with the American Sugarbeet Grower Association took him not only on a Brachs candy-buying spree, but to meetings with the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Trade Representative, Environmental Protection Agency, American Sugar Alliance, Farm Bureau and much more.

His research for ASGA supported and illustrated the sugar sector's position, said Adams, who was able to participate when ASGA took issue with the sugar policy attack issued by Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago.

"Numbers showed it was not the price of sugar that was driving Brachs out of Chicago," Adams said.

Adams hands-on active role with ASGA led him to examine issues.

"Among challenges facing the sweetener industry are misconceptions that foreign competitors have higher efficiency or increased means of production," Adams said.

But the United States is one of the most efficient and quality producers of sucrose in the world, he added, denying a recurring theme held in most sugar debates.

"That theme is the use of cheaper world sugar and the accusation that the U.S. sugar price is artificially high," Adams said. "Treasuries of exporting countries can undercut domestic price. Poorly enforced trade agreements, foreign subsidies, dumping practices and domestic users' self-interest agendas are problems the ASGA office faces every day."

Adams praised the four lobbyists he worked with in the Washington, D.C., ASGA office.

"I realized Heidi (Armbrister) , Ashley (Kushkowski), Ruthann (Geibe) and Luther (Markwart) maintain great pride for the farmer and honestly care about each of the board members and areas they represent," Adams said. "It was refreshing to see that in this large city in the shadow of the capital there are some truly caring people working to protect family farmers every day."

While Adams spoke highly of the ASGA crew in Washington, D.C., Luther Markwart, executive vice president of ASGA, also praised Adams, who, he said, researched and examined many sugar policy issues.

"He gained an overview of agricultural and congressional coalitions and the strategy of constituent participation in the political process," Markwart said.

Adams' questions and input on sugar industry representation as well as his enthusiasm to take on any task necessary were greatly appreciated, he said.

"Luke's participation in the activities of this Association was much appreciated by the Association staff as well as the Board of Directors." Markwart said. "We wish him the very best as he continues his education and begins his career in law or in another arena."

On July 16 Adams is scheduled to start working at Hill Air Force Base in Utah as a contract negotiator between the military and private companies.

He said he is sure that his experience as an intern with ASGA helped him get the job at the Air Force base.

He is working to save money for law school, plans to study ag and environmental law or international ag policy, he said.

Adams was the first Idaho intern to work in the ASGA office in the Bill Cleavinger intern program and said he is impressed with the program and grateful for the opportunity.

"This program really teaches ag to the next generation," Adams said.

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Sweet facts

CONSUMERS: Like all Americans, Idaho consumers pay 20 percent less for sugar than consumers in other developed countries.

JOBS: Over 11,600 jobs in Idaho rely on a strong U.S. sweetener industry.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: $1,150,000,000 of economic activity are generated in the state of Idaho each year by the U.S. sugar and corn sweetener industries.

SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY: More than $171 million is spent by 1,800 farmers to produce over five million tons of beets from 201,000 acres. Sugar beets are the third-largest crop after potatoes and wheat. There are three sugar beet processing facilities in Idaho --Paul, Twin Falls, and Nampa -- which are operated by Amalgamated Sugar Co. Salary and wages for factory employees are approximately $34 million.

CORN SWEETENER INDUSTRY: The corn wet milling industry uses over 800,000,000 bushels of corn nationwide each year for making sweetener. $1,137,000 are added to the value of the corn crop for Idaho's corn farmers as a result of purchases by the corn refining industry.

IMPORTANT TO LOCAL BUSINESSES: Millions of dollars are generated within the state through sales to the domestic sweetener industry. Products and services such as fertilizer, chemicals, power, fuel, vehicles, farm implements, transportation and freight, irrigation materials, and factory and mill processing equipment are but a few examples of types of products and services provided by Idaho businesses.

FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE From 1985 to 1995, U.S. sweetener policy operated at no cost to the government. From 1991 to 1999, sugar growers paid a marketing tax to the federal government totaling $279,000,000.

EFFICIENT PRODUCERS: Of the 36 countries worldwide that produce beet sugar, the U.S. beet sugar industry is the lowest-cost producer. U.S. sweetener policy allows efficient Idaho producers to compete with subsidies and trade practices used by foreign countries.

* source American Sugarbeet Growers Association:

For information about the American Sugarbeet Growers Association:  http://hometown.aol.com/asga/sugar.htm