Along with the over 400 farmers and college students, the 10th annual Ag Symposium will have a new group of attendees: high school students.
For the first time this year, the agriculture conference at South Central College is inviting high school students interested in careers in agriculture. The younger attendees will have their own free half-day event in conjunction with the main symposium on Jan. 30.
The high school students will hear from David Kohl, an agriculture economist, and Chris Koch, who didn't let being born without arms or legs stop him from becoming a farmer.
The young attendees also will take a tour of the college and learn about its several agribusiness programs preparing students in careers ranging from chemical application technicians to swine managers.
A panel of current students and recent SCC alumni also will provide the high school pupils with tips for college success.
Dean of Agriculture Brad Schloesser said over 200 high school students are already registered for the conference. Many area high schools are bringing groups. Students also can attend independently if their school isn't coming but allows them to come on their own.
The main symposium is a full-day event open to adults working in or interested in agriculture. SCC's agribusiness students also are taking a break from classes to attend.
The adults also will hear presentations by Kohl and Koch, as well as professor Mykel Taylor.
Kohl is a former professor of agricultural finance and entrepreneurship at Virginia Tech and now runs a consulting business. He is a prolific speaker and author.
Koch grew up on a farm in Alberta, Canada. When he's not traveling the world speaking about living life fully despite disabilities, he still works on family farms.
Taylor is an agriculture professor at Kansas State University and a leader of extension programs for Kansas State University and Washington State University. She specializes in grain marketing, farm management and agricultural land values.
Attendees also will attend a panel of bank representatives discussing agricultural loans.
Schloesser, who helped launch the symposium 10 years ago, said the conference consistently has featured two to three keynote speakers and a panel revolving around the theme “New Tools for New Rules.”
What has changed is growth in the number of symposium sponsors and attendees, Schloesser said. For the last few years attendance has reached or neared their maximum of 450.
The symposium is a fundraiser for the SCC North Mankato Campus Foundation. Net proceeds from admission fees and sponsorships fund scholarships for agribusiness students and professional development opportunities for agribusiness faculty.
Source : Mankato Free Press