One of the job categories in agriculture facing a talent shortage is agronomy.
“First and foremost, I think it’s a lack of enthusiasm at a young age to get into the field of agronomy and agriculture, in general,” said Eric Welsh with the American Society of Agronomy. “A deficiency in the number of graduates to the demand of the industry, we’re talking at least two to 3,000 individuals short graduating from college every year. So the demand’s there.”
Welsh added that most colleges do not offer a strict agronomy degree, with agronomic education coming in the form of plant pathology or crop sciences.
The best way to spark student interest in the agronomy field is through mentoring.
“Most of the time, you’re going to have that science-based study versus in-field application,” said Welsh. “It all leads to the same end: growing that crop. Through our mentorship that pairs up students with agronomists out in the field, that’s another way to get them involved, just getting more and more students experience in the field and giving them an opportunity to work day-to-day.”
ASA has an undergraduate program called Students of Agronomy, Soils and Environmental Sciences, or SASES, which connects college students with professionals in the agronomy field.
This report is from our partners at the USDA.
Corn Refiners Association VP Kristy Goodfellow offered insight into the Feeding the Economy Report’s key findings, showing the breadth of agriculture’s economic impact and the challenges ahead.
March 27, 2026 03:32 PM
·
As ag lawmakers in the Senate await the House vote on the Farm Bill, they are eager to discuss the challenges farmers face before it is their turn to take up the critical legislation.
March 26, 2026 04:29 PM
·
The Biden Administration launched the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access (ILCMA) program in 2023 to help underserved farmers facing barriers to land ownership.
March 26, 2026 02:20 PM
·
The Trump Administration’s new rule limiting CDL renewals for immigrant truckers is seeing mixed reactions in agriculture. While some support the change, it is raising concerns about higher freight costs and impacts on U.S. grain export competitiveness.
March 19, 2026 02:35 PM
·
As the strike at a JBS facility in Colorado continues, the National Right to Work Foundation is encouraging some employees to consider returning to work. The group says not all workers on strike may want to participate and urges those who choose to cross the picket line to resign from their union memberships.
March 19, 2026 01:49 PM
·
Higher prices are bringing relief to markets, but rising input costs are putting pressure on the producers.
March 19, 2026 12:59 PM
·
