Submitted by Nancy Barcus, Agriculture Future of America (AFA)
I’ve read thousands of essays written by young people
articulating why they are pursuing a career in agriculture. Words like “strength,” “passion,” “vital,”
“constant” and “innovation” echo from the pages of scholarship and leader
development applications. There are few
differences from those raised on a farm versus those that found their interest
in agriculture in some other way. These
same men and women embrace that agriculture is more than what Grant Wood’s American Gothic represents; after all,
it was painted 80 years ago.
Although there are currently more job openings in the
agriculture sector than there are college graduates in related degrees each
year (which won’t likely get better as baby boomers exit the workplace), those
preparing for a career in agriculture can’t afford to just grab a job. If predictions are true and we need to feed
9-10 billion people annually 35 years from now, agricultural professionals need
to be agile, innovative, collaborative and efficient to meet such goals while
protecting natural resources and producing food safely. Communicators will need to understand science
to share with non-agricultural consumers. Scientists will need to translate the value of innovation beyond yield
enhancement or an animal’s rate of gain.
There is no doubt technology is and will play a huge
role. Discipline by discipline, this
next generation will need to understand how technology can use data to make
better decisions while science can reduce strain on the environment as well as
transpose geography where crops can be grown.
They also have an opportunity to rebrand agriculture for the
world. Machinery technicians must be computer savvy. Successful farmers are businessmen and women
first. Agriculture is a global industry
with more and more global career opportunities. Young people can prepare
through global exposure, seeking out experiences that help them find the right
career path for their interests and strengths and being ready to work in teams
across generations and geography.
The future of agriculture holds exciting opportunities for
those who choose to pursue them.
