The Democratic Stance on Agricultural Education and Workforce Development
Farms and food companies need skilled workers. Democratic supporters want more funding for ag education and training, while critics ask who should pay and what works.
Why ag education and training matter
Modern agriculture needs mechanics, veterinarians, agronomists, data analysts, food scientists and managers, as well as farmers. Many jobs go unfilled in small towns, while many young people never hear that agriculture offers careers.
Supporters of the Democratic approach say public investment in education and training is one of the best ways to build the farm workforce and keep rural communities alive. The ag jobs and careers guide lists many of the career paths.
Education is also how knowledge passes between generations. A young person who learns welding, animal science or farm accounting in school brings those skills home, and a town that keeps its young people keeps its tax base, its volunteers and its fire department.
What do supporters propose?
Supporters back funding for high school ag classes and youth programs, community college and technical training, apprenticeships, extension education and scholarships for students who commit to rural work. They also want better pay and working conditions, so that the jobs attract people.
Labor data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and rules from the Department of Labor shape the picture, and USDA runs education and training programs. Check current offerings, since they change.
State agencies and groups such as the Colorado Farm Bureau also support youth programs. Supporters add that training should include modern skills such as data tools, drone use, food safety and business management, not only traditional production, so graduates can compete for the full range of jobs.
- Ag classes and youth programs
- Community college and technical training
- Apprenticeships
- Scholarships tied to rural service
The Colorado angle
Pueblo and southern Colorado have community colleges, a land-grant university in the state and a network of extension offices. Supporters argue that these institutions, together with 4-H and FFA, are the backbone of workforce development.
CSU Extension provides education throughout the state, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture lists resources. The fair and rodeo guide shows how youth programs connect to county fairs.
If you are a farmer who wants to hire and train, ask your local community college whether it will build a short course around your needs. Many schools are open to employer input.
What do critics say?
Critics, including many Republican lawmakers, respond that training works best when employers and local schools lead and that federal programs can be duplicative. Some prefer tax incentives for businesses that train workers over new government programs.
There is also a disagreement on immigration and labor. Critics and supporters differ on how to fill farm jobs that domestic workers have not taken. The disputed facts include how many openings exist and how many are year-round versus seasonal.
Look for independent data from USDA ERS and USDA NASS. A fair way to see the argument is that both sides want skilled workers and differ on who leads. That makes local conversations between schools, employers and extension valuable. Apprenticeships deserve a special mention because they pay while teaching. Ask whether a local employer, a union or a trade group sponsors one, and what credentials it leads to, since a certificate that employers recognize is worth more than one they do not.
How can a student or worker get started?
Talk to your school's ag teacher and your county extension agent. Look at community college programs, apprenticeships and 4-H or FFA. Ask employers what skills they look for, and ask what training they will pay for.
If you are changing careers, compare the cost of a program against likely pay and ask for graduate job placement information. Talk to a licensed career or financial adviser before borrowing for school.
Pay matters too. If a job pays poorly and offers little security, no training program will fill it for long. Ask about wages, housing and benefits when you compare offers.
Keep reading
Education stories are at farm.FM education and farm stories at farm.FM farming. For one related story, see a farm.FM piece on ag students.
Programs and funding change, so confirm current details with the agency or school.
Parents can help by showing children that agriculture includes science, technology and business. A visit to a farm, a fair or an extension open house goes a long way. Teachers need support as well, since a good ag program often rests on one person. Supporters want pay, equipment and time for teachers to run farm projects and supervise student work.
Sources and further reading
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: labor and price data
- U.S. Department of Labor: labor rules and programs
- USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture
- CSU Extension: Colorado State extension
- Colorado Department of Agriculture: state agriculture agency
- Colorado Farm Bureau: state farm organization
Ask locally: Your local ag teacher or CSU Extension agent can point students toward current programs and scholarships.