Dig into the facts about careers in agriculture

Black Collegian, Oct 1994 by Housh, Jean

Qualified students coming out of college with an interest in pursuing careers in agriculture, agribusiness, food technology, or environmental science should have no problem finding challenging job opportunities. A recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted a strong employment market through the 1990's--particularly for food and natural resources graduates--in marketing and sales careers.

Overall, the report sites an 11 percent shortage of qualified people in the agriculture industry.

"The growth and development of many businesses related in some way to agriculture--including food technology and environmental sciences--depend on the ability to attract, develop, and retain a diverse pool of talent. Not only must tomorrow's workforce be highly skilled, but it also must be more resourceful, adaptive, and team-oriented," according to Charles Kidd, PhD, associate vice president of Environmental Programs at Florida A&M University.

U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics indicate that marketing, merchandising, and sales positions are the most difficult to fill--with an 18 percent shortfall projected through 1995. Scientists and engineers are also in demand, with supply projected to be 15 percent below demand.

U.S. Department of Agriculture economists say, for example, that the word "agriculture" now means more than just farming. Agriculture includes the activities of the "food and fiber system" and that involves input markets, production, processing, and distribution in the United States and around the globe.

In fact, say the economists, even the expression "food and fiber system" is limiting, as agriculture now contributes to expanding non-food industrial markets, such as ethanol. The entire system generates more than $950 billion annually in economic activity, or 16 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product.

There are indeed opportunities for people of color in the areas of agriculture, food technology, and environmental technology. The need is also great for accountants, engineers, information technologists, and human resource personnel in agribusiness and food companies.

"We need to do our best to make agriculture come to life for college students of color," says Charles Williams, PhD, professor at the University of Minnesota and Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Officer for the Minnesota Extension Service and Institute's Minority Recruiting Director.

"We need to dispel some misconceptions about what agriculture really is and what it isn't. For some people of color, considering a career in agriculture conjures up images of the past when Blacks worked the soil as slaves," he says. "Today, production agriculture is not walking behind a mule but rather riding in a tractor loaded with the latest in high technology computers and agronomy tools."

If you look at the broad picture, there are career opportunities in agriculture crop production and beyond, including economics, research, engineering, environmental sciences, animal sciences, biotechnology, commodity trading, horticulture, consumer marketing, waste management and much more, according to Williams.

"If you think about it, McDonald's is agriculture," Williams says. "Agriculture touches nearly every aspect of our lives, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear to the furniture in our homes, and so on."

Companies such as General Mills, Kraft General Foods, Cargill, DowElanco, Eli Lilly, Grand Met, ConAgra, and American Cyanamid are only a few of the agribusinesses that are Fortune 500 companies.

"I think if you asked college students...few would see the vital link between these agribusiness companies and what the majority of us do at least three times a day: eat," Williams says.

Environmental sciences is another growth area that holds great potential for people of color.

According to Dr. Kidd of Florida A&M, the need for minorities in careers related to environmental sciences and technology continues to grow.

"This is perhaps one of the most fertile areas for minority graduates," Kidd says. "When you consider the need for talent to assist in the environmental restoration of land once used for military bases and weapons production and testing alone, for example, you'll see that there are a lot of career opportunities."

"Often it takes a team of people from a variety of disciplines to solve environmental problems and make environmentally sound decisions," Kidd says. "When you establish a core body of individuals with skills in social sciences, computer technology, agricultural sciences, and environmental sciences, you'll make better decisions. Building a good team is critical."

Florida A&M recently established an Environmental Sciences Institute to better prepare students for futures in environmental careers. But, even for those without degrees in environmental sciences, Kidd says, the career prospects are good. "It's such a growing field that there's no doubt in my mind that minority graduates will benefit," Kidd said.

"People will always need to eat. It's as basic as that," explains Duane Reed, sector manager with Cargill's Grain Division, describing one of the fundamentals that has made his 20-year career with Cargill, a 130-year-old agricultural and bulk commodities firm, successful and challenging.