Fewer and Far Between: Less people who are in agriculture have farming backgrounds

A Midwest cooperative says there is a big problem on the horizon as they are finding fewer graduates have a background in agriculture.

“That talent base that we are getting out of our universities continues to shrink, that talent pool continues to shrink, and I think one of the things that we’re seeing, too, is that the number of kids are coming off the farm that go to college and they are looking for a job in the industry, is getting fewer and far between. So finding that person who has on-farm knowledge, the basic understanding of how our farm works, is getting fewer and far between,” said Jason Weirich, the executive vice president of operations at MFA Incorporated.

Weirich says this has forced them to expand their talent pool. He tells aginfo.net that despite a lack of farming background, they still have many young people showing up with a desire to help America’s farmers and ranchers.

Related Stories
California almond acreage tightens while pistachios shift into an off-year, shaping a mixed outlook for prices and supply in the tree nut market.
New treatments offer hope, but challenges remain for beekeepers.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joins us to break down the latest USDA crop progress report, share insights from growers, and discuss how global factors are shaping planting decisions this season.
Growers are making progress with planting despite dry conditions.
House lawmakers push toward a Farm Bill vote as debate grows over E15, Prop 12, and input costs, with farmers seeking certainty and policy updates.
RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey spoke with the Texas Shrimp Association at the Port of Brownsville about the future of the USDA’s new Office of Seafood.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Dr. Jeffrey Gold explains how springtime brings seasonal changes to agricultural operations and, with them, renewed concerns about safety, allergies, and mental health this week on Rural Health Matters.
ASFMRA’s Dennis Reyman joined us to discuss planting progress, crop trends, grain movement, and farmland market activity in Iowa.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss Canada’s advisory committee and the upcoming USMCA review and its potential impact on agriculture.
The massive Morill wildfire left Nebraska ranchers facing major losses, as relief funds and federal aid step in to support recovery efforts.
Led by Sen. Rand Paul, lawmakers aim to prevent a November federal hemp ban, advocating for state control as farmers face planting uncertainties.