Skill shortage alert in U.S. Agri-Food sector, study shows

Mar 28, 2024

By Farms.com

AgCareers.com's recent survey casts a spotlight on the skill gaps that challenge the U.S. agri-food industry's growth. The research underscores an urgent need for skills such as problem-solving, organization, and teamwork, pinpointing these as areas where current and aspiring employees fall short.

This gap is most pronounced among new graduates, with a mere 18% possessing the necessary work-ready skills upon entering the job market, a stark contrast to the 76% readiness rate of experienced professionals. This indicates a crucial area of focus for educational institutions and training programs aiming to prepare individuals for this dynamic sector.

The survey also dives into specific knowledge areas such as sustainability, data science, and food science, with agronomy and precision agriculture emerging as fields requiring immediate attention due to their significant knowledge gaps.

With these insights, AgCareers.com aims to foster a well-equipped workforce that can meet the evolving demands of the agriculture and food industries. The full survey report, available for free download, serves as a vital tool for educators, employers, and policy makers dedicated to closing these gaps and propelling the sector forward.

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.