Growing Need for Agriculture Experts

Abstract

Issues related to the safety and security of our food supply top the news on a regular basis [e.g., ([ 1 ][1], [ 2 ][2])]. Yet the news media continue to undermine the entry of students into the study of agriculture ([ 3 ][3], [ 4 ][4]). Statistical data from the U.S. Department of Labor ([ 5 ][5]) and U.S. Department of Agriculture ([ 6 ][6]) indicate an expected growth in most agriculture-related fields, including inspectors, scientists, and veterinarians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that over the next five years, there will be a 5% increase in the need for graduates in these disciplines, but a 10% decline in the number of students choosing these important programs as their career path ([ 7 ][7]). This means a shortfall of qualified workers in the areas where we need them most—horticulture, animal husbandry, food science, and climate change or environmental analysis. There are also growing opportunities in industries with activities linked to agriculture, such as transporting food, specialty processing (e.g., coffee brewing), addressing dietetic concerns, protecting animal welfare, and producing pet foods. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also suggests an 8% increase in the need for qualified, well-educated agriculture managers to keep pace with quickly advancing technological methods of farming across the United States and abroad, along with changes in regulations at all government levels ([ 7 ][7]). ![Figure][8] CREDIT: BART COENDERS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM The bottom line: Agriculture isn't dead. In fact, no other industry feeds the world's population, which could hit 9 billion by 2050 ([ 8 ][9]). The need for graduates in agriculture, horticulture, and animal science programs will be critical to finding ways of safely doubling food production in order to meet the demand of a growing population. 1. [↵][10] Food and Drug Administration, Orange Juice Products and Carbendazim: Addendum to FDA Letter to the Juice Products Association (January 9, 2012) ([www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/FruitsVegetablesJuices/ucm287783.htm][11]). 2. [↵][12] Fresno County, Department of Environmental Health, Consumer Food Product Recalls ([www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=908][13]). 3. [↵][14] 1. T. Loose , “College majors that are useless,” Yahoo Education ([http://education.yahoo.net/articles/most\_useless\_degrees.htm?kid=1KWNU][15]). 4. [↵][16] “20 most useless degrees,” The Daily Beast Blog ([www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2011/04/27/20-most-useless-degrees.slide3.html][17]). 5. [↵][18] U.S. Department of Labor, Statistical Information ([www.dol.gov/dol/audience/aud-workers.htm#stats][19]). 6. [↵][20] U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Agricultural Projections to 2019 ([www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/archive_projections/USDAAgriculturalProjections2019.pdf][21]). 7. [↵][22] Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition ([www.bls.gov/oco/ocos046.htm][23]). 8. [↵][24] Feedstuffs FoodLink, “Ag must ‘freeze food footprint,’” Feedstuffs, 4 April 2010. [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #ref-3 [4]: #ref-4 [5]: #ref-5 [6]: #ref-6 [7]: #ref-7 [8]: pending:yes [9]: #ref-8 [10]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [11]: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/FruitsVegetablesJuices/ucm287783.htm [12]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [13]: http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=908 [14]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3 in text [15]: http://education.yahoo.net/articles/most_useless_degrees.htm?kid=1KWNU [16]: #xref-ref-4-1 View reference 4 in text [17]: http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2011/04/27/20-most-useless-degrees.slide3.html [18]: #xref-ref-5-1 View reference 5 in text [19]: http://www.dol.gov/dol/audience/aud-workers.htm#stats [20]: #xref-ref-6-1 View reference 6 in text [21]: http://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/archive_projections/USDAAgriculturalProjections2019.pdf [22]: #xref-ref-7-1 View reference 7 in text [23]: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos046.htm [24]: #xref-ref-8-1 View reference 8 in text