AG WEEK: Thinking outside the grain bin

Opportunities in ag are flexible and innovative, so is the next generation of farmers and ranchers

It is no secret that the field of agriculture has been consistently of disinterest to the young people of recent generations. Some contend that today's youth have their eyes set on careers with better pay, more opportunities and advancing technology. Perhaps recent graduates want more than what they see available in agriculture.

In his article "Planting the seeds of tomorrow: Getting youth into ag," Terrius Harris of the storytelling collaborative Planet Forward suggests that youth believe there is not a place for them in agriculture and then goes on to debunk that very misconception. Harris questions, "What if I told you that this was just not true; and that in fact the agriculture field is a place of opportunity for youth and older generations alike?"

Here are the three reasons Harris presents as to why youth might find a career in agriculture worthwhile afterall.

Technology is growing in agriculture. Agritech is the use of technology for agriculture, aquaculture and horticulture and is developed to improve efficiency and profitability. This includes the usage of mobile applications, the efforts of connecting farmers and sponsors and the usage of drones for monitoring fields and livestock. It even includes information communication technologies like podcasts and other social media efforts to bring awareness to agriculture. According to Forbes Magazine, agritech is a key area of focus for investors globally.

Farming can be very profitable. Though sometimes becoming a farmer may have humble beginnings, it doesn't mean there's no profit. In fact, there are multiple financial resources available in the U.S. alone. Additionally, there are even more financial opportunities for youth. With such high demand in the field of agricultural, many governmental and non-profit organizations offer financial opportunities and rewards to encourage people, specifically youth, to pursue a career in the field. After you've secured this funding the next part can be tricky, but with the right practices, your farm can be very profitable.

Success highly depends on two things: the type of crops grown and how the farm is operated. At face-value, the type of crops grown can increase the farm's potential profit greatly. Farmers are essentially guaranteed a higher potential profit by growing and raising crops that are in high demand on the market. According to AGWeb.com, though all farms can be profitable, there are common denominators in the farms that have the biggest success. This includes things from the inclusion of more technology or using outside experts, to revamping accounting practices to better represent actual costs.

Agriculture can compliment your life goals. There are a multitude of agriculture-based jobs beyond farming. Although farmers are in high-demand, the remainder of the agricultural field is vast. This includes jobs from agricultural engineering and wildlife to forest conservation and forest health. This field is not only sustainable within itself, but can easily pair with one's own ambitions and goals. For example, a student majoring in finance with hopes of venturing into banking could consider adding a focus in agriculture. Good communicators are also needed in agriculture. Companies and organizations focused in agriculture or aquaculture have to maintain communication and public relations with the surrounding world.

"So as you're thinking about your future, think about how agriculture might pair well with your career goals and apply to an internship or two to give it a try," Harris advises.

Agriculture is the world around us, and just like the world around us, it is versatile and open to all. The agricultural field is actually a field of opportunity. So, truth be told, it's not that there is not a place for youth in agriculture, instead, it's that youth have the opportunity to make agriculture something that it never has been before.

The future of agriculture is technology, it's youth, and it's change. For the agriculture of tomorrow begins now, with youth.