The Future’s so bright…

The future never looks as promising, full of opportunities, and exciting as it does for a new high school graduate.  Jumping into the real world so full of possibilities makes you believe when they say, “You can be anything you want to be!”  To the farm and ranch kids, especially if you are having a hard time narrowing down what you want to be, I’m going to take that saying a step further to say, “You can be anything you want to be in AGRICULTURE.”

Now that might sound like I’m trying to box you into a life back on your family operation or tied down to a 24/7 job.  I’m not, the opposite in fact.  Just hear me out.  Farm and ranch kids have lived a unique life.  If only 1% of Americans are farmers and ranchers, imagine what percent of graduating seniors are their children.  With that unique upbringing, they have a perspective that very few have.  Sure others can learn what they have, but at the same time, that way of living is ingrained in them and they have real, first hand experience in farm and ranch production.

These youth have grown up working alongside dad in the shop repairing tractors, helped run harvest equipment, taken care of feed and nutrition for hundreds of animals, doctored sick livestock, and helped manage rangeland resources.  Their education began early in various parts of engineering, physics, organic chemistry, biology, accounting, animal reproduction, and so much.  They learned by watching the importance of business deals, public speaking, and lobbying in efforts to protect their family’s operations and way of life.  

That valuable experience isn’t just necessary for returning to work as the next generation on the family operation, which is crucial for all family farms and ranchers, but for any ag related career that supports food production from the field to America’s families.  

The agriculture industry isn’t made up of just farmers and ranchers but also those that play a huge role in supporting those production operations.  From accountants to agronomists and political lobbyists to pivot repair technicians, there are so many crucial careers in the ag industry that need these smart, hard working kids that have experience and knowledge they likely take for granted.  

Technology advancements are quickly changing how things are done in agriculture with drones, precision farming equipment, and even robotics.  Careers coupling computer science in farming and ranching applications are taking off in exciting ways.  Those who understand the use and need for such technology in agriculture and have the mind for computers are going to be crucial in the upcoming generations of ag.

In a world that is constantly trying to overregulate farming and ranching practices, having people as lawyers, politicians, lobbyists, and special interest group leaders that actually have first hand experience in agriculture production is invaluable.  Not all producers have the time or the ability to speak out for themselves and rely on others to do it.  Speaking from experience and understanding lends credibility and confidence that can’t be earned any other way.  These careers will have the opportunities to shape ag for years.

Engineers designing equipment, problem solving to improve equipment, are those that are making farming and ranching more efficient and more productive.  Having sat in that seat bouncing across the field, running the hydraulics over and over again, or repairing the same breakdown uniquely qualifies a person to know how to make the best improvements.  

Those with a knack for science, understanding how to keep soils healthy, how ruminant digestion works, or how to create innovative herbicides, are going to be a valuable resource for farmers and ranchers to help them produce at all new levels.  

Careers in agriculture and supporting food production are truly limitless and need the perspective, experience, and knowledge that farm and ranch youth can bring to them.  A passion for farming and ranching doesn’t limit a career to just boots-on-the-ground-producing, but rather opens up a whole world of possibilities.  For any ag kid staring at their future, trying to navigate the overwhelming opportunities ahead, I encourage you to couple your strengths, knowledge and passion to find a career within the agriculture industry where you will make a greater impact than you will ever know.