News

Ag technology is bright spot for graduates

The recently released report from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Purdue University’s College of Agriculture shows that nearly 58,000 jobs will open annually across the United States relating to the agriculture industry.

Allan Goecker, lead author of the report says the area of technology is a strong employment market for students.  “Areas of eCommerce and areas of precision agriculture as it applies to many different facets of the food chain – these are the areas where students with technical skills in communication and management protocols are going to be in a very good position,” he says.

The report shows there are several opportunities for graduates in agriculture and related fields – but those graduates will only fill about 60 percent of the expected openings.  Even as enrollments in agriculture programs increase and the job market becomes more competitive, Goecker says good employment opportunities are expected to continue.

A link to details of the “Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, and the Environment, US, 2015-2020” report can be found HERE.