Students Flocking to U.S. Colleges of Agriculture. by HR Issues AgCareers (September 27, 2012) Drought on the farm, but not in the U.S. agricultural college

Students Flocking to U.S. Colleges of Agriculture. by HR Issues AgCareers (September 27, 2012)
Drought on the farm, but not in the U.S. agricultural college
By Christina DC Pastor, From Hand That Feeds U.S. site.

A drought burns have stimulated agricultural breadbasket of America in the Midwest, but the agricultural college bloom like never before.

Students are flocking to the course of agriculture, driven by the number of jobs available in the related fields-the fact that in contrast to the city's children are facing a rare find job opportunities in the recession-hit economy, college officials said.

Wendy Wintersteen, dean of Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said the school has seen "simply outstanding" jumped 30 percent in undergraduate enrollment from 2006 to 2010.

University of Iowa State University of Agriculture 3584 students enrolled in the fall of 2011. This fall, Wintersteen said the university expects to break the all-time enrollment record 3623 set 35 years ago in 1977.

Agriculture is a career go-to for a country with a strong tradition of family farms, where the average operation can easily span several generations. In Iowa, a recent survey showed that 94 percent of high school students involved in Future Farmers America (FFA) wants to pursue a career related to agriculture, up from 77 percent in 2005. "Young people like this have a positive outlook about agriculture," Wintersteen said.

Female students comprise nearly 48 percent of the agricultural SPI registration, noted an increasing trend since the 1970s. Part of the appeal comes from the various disciplines that offer agriculture, Wintersteen said, "from farm to table, from the environment to entrepreneurship, from science to communication."

"Students who choose a career path are passionate about farming and entrepreneurial in their thinking no matter if the farm is large or small operation," he explained.

Wintersteen said that students do not pass some will declare their plans to join the family farming operation. Approximately 72 percent of the new ISU graduates start their careers by doing that.

"Course we have Beginning Farmer Center which helps smooth the transition," he said. Centre not only discuss the mechanism to run the operation but also emotional topics, such as succession and conflict resolution.

Despite a challenging job market, agriculture continues to have a strong placement rate of 98 percent or better for new graduates, he said. "Our farm annual Fair, which is the largest in the country, is always crowded Employers realize. They must compete to hire our students."

Classes in SPI focus on everything from the efficient and effective management of natural resources to food security to food safety, as well as a variety of other programs spread across two dozen majors. Research, problem solving and decision making skills are part of the basic course and are invaluable for students who decide to join the existing agricultural operations or start a new business, Wintersteen said.

In Illinois, where about 20 percent of the population is involved in agriculture in some way, the discipline offers a variety of opportunities, says Rob Rhykerd, chairman of the University of Illinois State University of Agriculture. Many graduates do not go directly to the farm, but working in related fields such as sales, marketing or research. Amid the trend, agriculture remains the "coveted" career and very diverse fields, "no pun intended."

"There are more jobs in agriculture graduates now than there was," said Rhykerd. "We attract students from other related fields such as business and biology to backfill positions are filled."

Enrollment in the University of Illinois State University of Agriculture-although still relatively small at 136 students has steadily increased in the last 10 years. The department has 64 students per cent of men compared to women 36 percent, although the mix varies depending on the program. Male students interested in courses in agribusiness and farm management industry, while women tend to major in agricultural education, communication and leadership, said Rhykerd.

The officials stressed the role of education in preparing young Americans to meet the challenges of the 21st century for food security, the environment and economic development. Wintersteen said, "Agriculture is the key to life and make a better life."