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Thursday, August 07, 2008
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News Detail
Younger generation shows interest in farming
5/4/2008 3:29:22 PM
According to a survey conducted from nearly 600 Iowa Future Farmers of America members throughout the state, an increasing number from Generation Y desire to farm, raise livestock, live and work in Iowa upon completing their education.
"The number of FFA members wanting a career in agriculture is significant, considering that nearly one of every three students who participated in the survey don't live on a farm," said state FFA advisor Dale Gruis.
"In fact, nearly half of our Iowa FFA students come from a urban background. Yet they see farming or an ag-related career as an exciting career option."
Up 11 percent from a similar survey in 2006, 66 percent of the 586 students surveyed said they wanted to farm after completing their education. Of those not wanting to farm, 60 percent said they wanted to work in a related field such as ag sales, agronomy and animal science.
Jordan Wenzel, a member of the Cal FFA in Latimer, will be graduating from high school in May and plans to attend Iowa State University this fall majoring in ag education, ag business and animal science.
"You are always going to have agriculture, because farmers are the ones who provide the food for the growing world population," Wenzel said. "Farmers help sustain the nation. If you don't have strong farms and people involved in agriculture, it would be difficult for the world to function."
The survey found that 70 percent of FFA students plan to obtain at least their bachelor's degree, and 75 percent said they would live and work in Iowa after college. Sixteen percent said they would leave Iowa for a few years but return to pursue their careers and raise a family.
Brandon Weilbrenner of Albia, a member of the Moravia FFA, understands that his generation is Iowa's future.
"We know there are opportunities in agriculture, and we know there are challenges, too. All we ask for is a chance to prove ourselves and to be able to do so in Iowa," Weilbrenner said.
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