FORT WAYNE, Ind. — While the Wyss family will travel to China next month primarily to share American farming techniques, that’s not the only thing they hope to accomplish during their trip; they hope to benefit, as well.

“We were complimented by being invited there, but we’re also looking at what we can gain as a family, and a business, from the experience,” Andy Wyss said. “We hope to make some contacts, and we’ll be taking a tour of a typical agriculture community.”

The family runs Wyss Farms Enterprises in southern Allen County, Ind. They own 260 acres and operate a total of 2,000. They grow corn, soybeans and some wheat. Four members of the family – Andy, his wife, Pat, and their sons Don and Joe – will be in China early next month to make a presentation at the 14th China Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Fair. The Nov. 5-9 fair, sponsored by 16 ministries and state commissions in China, is an international event of agricultural science and technology.

The Wyss family will be speaking as part of a farmers’ forum on business startup. “We’re going to be talking about managing and operating a family farm in the U.S.,” Pat said. “We’ll be telling our story.”

The family has made presentations on various aspects of farming over the years, including one at Purdue University in 2006 that attracted the attention of Penghui Dou, a professor in China. He later visited their farm and was instrumental in getting them invited to the Yangling conference.

The family has worked hard to prepare for the presentation, but really doesn’t know what to expect, Don said.

“We’re expecting a typical U.S. agriculture convention, but I’m sure it’s not going to be what I envision,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the actual presentation, but I’m also looking forward to getting out into the countryside and seeing a typical farm there.

“It’s been a challenge to get the program ready, because we think there will be a wide array of levels of experience (in attendance). Some will know about the latest technologies. We’re prepared for people on both extremes.”

Agriculture in China is “the weak link in the national economy, and there are many barriers curbing rural development,” according to an informational letter sent to the Wyss family by the fair organizing committee.

“It’s almost like American farming was in the 1800s,” Pat said. “The conference is sponsored by the government. They want to know how to help their people.”

The Wyss family has 40 minutes for their presentation, but because everything will be translated for the Chinese audience, in reality, they probably have about half that time, Joe said. The presentation will include information on the history of United States agriculture and where family farms such as the Wyss operation fit into that history, he said.

“We’re going to talk about how agriculture has grown over the last century into the effective and efficient industry it is today, and how our farm has grown over the years,” he said. “We’ll talk about how we manage our business and how we do all of this as a family business. Our team is our family.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to meet people, make contacts and have a new experience,” Andy said. “The government in China is evolving, and allowing for more free enterprise. It’s a good business opportunity for us.”

Joe has been to China before, but his parents and brother have not. “I was impressed by how warm and welcoming all the Chinese people were,” he said. “It will be good to learn more about their culture and the business environment.”

The Wyss family is aware they’re representing more than just themselves at the fair.

“We’re serving as ambassadors for our own country,” Pat said. “We’ll be courteous and polite. We’re excited about it. It’s just an adventure.”