Deputy Under Secretary Alexis Taylor will lead a trade mission September 7-15, 2016 to Hong Kong and Shanghai, China. Designed for women leaders, the mission will enable participants to forge relationships with potential customers and trading partners, interact with Government officials, gather market intelligence that will help them develop strategies to start or expand sales in these key markets, and gain valuable insight into the role women play in China’s agricultural industry. In 2014 USDA began its Women in Agriculture initiative as a way to highlight the roles women play in the agriculture industry, from farm to fork to boardroom. The goal is to encourage more women to take on leadership roles in the industry, while inspiring the next generation of young, second career, and socially disadvantaged women to pursue food and agriculture. This trade mission is the next step in increasing women’s leadership through creating important business-to-business connections with foreign counterparts. Although this ATM is targeted at women, men are welcome to apply. Applications must be received by July 20, 2016.