A Bumper Crop of New Jobs
Openings to outnumber grads in agriculture, natural resources
By Naomi Sheehan
In the next five years, there will be nearly 58,000 openings every year for college graduates in agriculture, food, renewable natural resources, and the environment. But not enough grads will be available to fill those openings, according to a new report by Purdue University in Indiana and the US Department of Agriculture.
Crop and resource production involves managing the land, but many of the openings are far from plow-to-earth work. In fact, 46 percent of the projected growth is in management and business. Another 27 percent of the new openings will be in STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, and math. A further 15 percent will center on green fields like sustainable food and biomaterials production. And the remaining 12 percent of openings are in education, communication, and governmental services.
That means agriculture and natural resources offer something for everyone, and earning a degree opens additional doors. “Expect the strongest job market for plant scientists, food scientists, sustainable biomaterials specialists, water resources scientists and engineers, precision agriculture specialists, and farm-animal veterinarians,” the report states.
“We expect to see a strong employment market for e-commerce managers and marketing agents, ecosystem managers, agriscience educators, crop advisors, and pest control specialists,” the researchers add.
The variety of this job list in itself reflects the increasing complexity of the food and energy systems. Agriculture and natural resources in the United States are very big business, serving enormous domestic and international markets and utilizing ever-developing logistical, commercial, and technological innovations.
Combine technological changes with environmental challenges like drought and rising temperatures, and the retirement of the Baby Boom generation, and the demand for a younger, highly skilled workforce is clear.
Graduates of specialized programs “not only are expected to provide answers and leadership to meet these growing challenges in the United States,” the report’s authors note, “but they also must exert global leadership in providing sustainable food systems, adequate water resources, and renewable energy in a world of population growth and climate change.”
Colleges haven’t kept up with demand, though, since they currently graduate only 35,400 trained in such fields each year. That means 39 percent of the new openings will be left unfilled, or filled by those lacking the necessary expertise.
Taking care of business
Between 2015 and 2020, almost half of annual openings in food and environment jobs – 26,700 a year – will be in management and business.
Changes in consumer choices for millions of Americans, driven by more health-conscious diets, will contribute to openings in marketing, purchasing, and logistics jobs. E-commerce in every industry is increasing the need for graduates with skills in online marketing, social media, and information technology.
In addition, care of the environment requires business professionals, particularly in renewable wood and biomaterials businesses, which are tied to the construction industry.
STEM jobs
Increasing demand for safe, nutritious foods is underwriting thousands of new jobs each year in biochemistry, nutrition, food science, and animal physiology.
Crop genetics is another quickly advancing field, where grads can find opportunities as plant geneticists, insect biologists, and more. A large scientific workforce is needed, according to the Purdue University report, in order to “develop higher-yielding crops adapted to less-than-optimal growing conditions.” Drought and water shortages, especially in the western US, also drive demand for hydrologists and irrigation engineers.
And as with virtually every sector of the economy, computer programmers and support specialists are needed to maintain the technology of the nation’s food production and distribution system.
Isothermal has long- and short-term classes to help you get started. For more information, call Kim Alexander at 828-395-1759 or Mark Franklin at 828-395-1677.
Source: “Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, and the Environment, United States, 2015-2020” https://purdue.edu/usda/employment/
