It Takes Talent to Feed the World
by Nanci Lilja, President, CHS Foundation
When most people think of agriculture, they wonder how we are going to feed the growing population of 9.6 billion by 2050. And while that’s an important question to consider, I find myself thinking more often about the individuals needed to fill the talent pipeline to feed that growing population.
With nearly 4 in 10 agriculture jobs going unfilled each
year and the average-age of farmers ever increasing, it’s going to take a
pragmatic, creative approach to encourage young people to pursue careers in
agriculture.
While filling the talent gap and meeting the labor demand is
an issue that cannot be solved by any one individual or organization, I feel a
personal responsibility to be part of the solution. Fortunately for me, I get
to go to work every day knowing that CHS and the CHS Foundation are investing
in programs that develop ag leaders for life and encourage students to pursue
careers in agriculture.
In my role as CHS Foundation president, I get to interact with
some of the students we support through programs like FFA, Ag Future of America
and 25 university ag programs. It’s
inspiring to hear from students of all ages, backgrounds and perspectives about
how one experience in middle school, high school or at the university level
sparked their involvement in agriculture. I always leave those conversations
feeling inspired and renewed in my belief that the next generation is going to
find new ways to propel the ag industry forward and be well-equipped to step
into ag careers.
All of us in agriculture have a unique story to tell, and
that’s why our support of National Ag Day is important. Because while we know the challenges and exciting
opportunities of this industry, we recognize that our policymakers and the
general public may not. There is something
very powerful about students sharing their passion and celebrating their unique
contributions to the ag industry, and we’re proud to be a part of that.
