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Training the next generation of Agriculture Technicians

Saskatchewan high school students are learning more about the Agricultural Technician Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon, Sask. this week.

The one-day ‘boot camp’ is part of the Agricultural Equipment Technicians or Parts Technician courses offered through the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre. Roughly 100 students from dozens of rural high schools are enrolled. The course also includes 50 hours of online learning and 50 hours of work placement at a farm equipment dealership.

Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre CEO Darren Gasper said there are many career opportunities ranging from technicians, parts, and sales that are close home for many students.

“It’s really exposing them to a fantastic career that’s often right in their local community. If you think of how broad Saskatchewan is, it’s really rewarding to see kids find a great career locally,” Gasper said. “When we think about the viability of our small towns, this is a great program.”

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How women saved agricultural economics and other ideas for why diversity matters | Jill J. McCluskey

Video: How women saved agricultural economics and other ideas for why diversity matters | Jill J. McCluskey

Dr. Jill J. McCluskey, Regents Professor at Washington State University and Director of the School of Economic Science

Dr. McCluskey documents that women entered agricultural economics in significant numbers starting in the 1980s, and their ranks have increased over time. She argues that women have increased the relevance in the field of agricultural economics through their diverse interests, perspectives, and experiences. In their research, women have expanded the field's treatment of non-traditional topics such as food safety and nutrition and environmental and natural resource economics. In this sense, women saved the Agricultural Economics profession from a future as a specialty narrowly focused on agricultural production and markets. McCluskey will go on to discuss some of her own story and how it has shaped some of her thinking and research. She will present her research on dual-career couples in academia, promotional achievement of women in both Economics and Agricultural Economics, and work-life support programs.

The Daryl F. Kraft Lecture is arranged by the Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, with the support of the Solomon Sinclair Farm Management Institute, and in cooperation with the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.