By: Patrick Troyer, Paulding SWCD
What do I want to do after high school? This is a question that lingers on the mind of many high school students trying to study the many options that exist in front of them weighing the pros and cons of each. Do I go to college? Do I enter the workforce? Are there opportunities for me in my hometown? Students in Mr. Sam Hatcher’s Economics class were given some guidance in answering some of these questions as they explored careers in conservation and agriculture.
As we all know, agriculture plays and important role in our well-being and that of our nation. Students were asked a series of questions noting their need for farmers to eat their food and to provide the materials to produce their clothing among many other things. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 856,300 agricultural jobs as of the most recent data available in 2016. The World Bank estimates that just 2% of the total United States labor force is employed in the agricultural industry. Of the careers available in agriculture, 20% require a college education.
Students were provided additional statistics of the need for individuals to fill positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics writes that on an annual basis, 400,000 people are needed to fill positions yet only about 100,000 jobs are being filled each year meaning the opportunities are endless in this particular industry. What opportunities exist in our area for those wanting to enter the Ag Industry? We first covered opportunities that exist with Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).
In the early 1900s, conservation was not widely practiced with soil being eroded away due to wind or water erosion. On May 12, 1934 the worst dust storm rolled across the great plans blocking the sun and leaning films of dust everywhere. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Soil Conservation Act establishing the Soil Conservation Service within the US Department of Agriculture to promote soil conservation, yet farmers were still skeptical of the Federal Government. States then set up SWCD’s in each of their counties with Ohio Establishing the first SWCD in 1941, with Paulding County forming in 1949. Federal, state, and local officials work to achieve the common goal soil natural resource conservation on urban and rural lands.
What opportunities exist with an SWCD? There are opportunities to for technicians, educators, and more recently nutrient specialists. Technical Assistance and Education are at the core of the opportunities available at an SWCD. An SWCD technician aids in the design, promotion, and facilitation of several conservation practices such as water control boxes, cover crops, soil testing, grassed waterways, drainage issues, and manure storage facilities to name a few. The Nutrient Specialist is tasked with being the local eyes and ears on the ground ensuring that nutrients are being properly applied to the ground and working with producers on ways in which they can effectively manage their nutrients. An SWCD educator’s job is to work with all ages and occupations to become aware of natural resource concerns by offering programs which bring issues such as erosion, pollution, and wildlife conservation to light. This is a great opportunity for those interested in environmental education.
To learn about the vast opportunities offered in an agricultural/environmental career, students took part in a mixer activity. Each student was handed a card with a different career that was fastened to their back so they could not see the occupation. They then walked around the room asking other students yes-or-no questions to try and figure out what their mystery career might be. Students could ask questions such as “Do I work outside” “Do I work with animals”. Once they felt they figured out their career, they sat down in their seats. Once most students were in their seats, they read the example on their career card and shared with the class what they liked or disliked about that career. This activity was a great way to introduce students to careers that may be available to them in addition to those they might not have known existed.
Do you know how many careers are available in the agricultural/environmental career field? To name a few: energy consultant, soil conservationist, agronomist, ecologist, civil wastewater engineer, wildlife biologist, hydrogeologist, game warden, fish & wildlife technician, soil scientist, forester, naturalist, biologist, hydrologic technician, and the list could go on and on! If you would like this program or a similar one for your group, contact the Paulding SWCD by phone at 419-399-4771 or email patrick.troyer@pauldingswcd.org.
