Recently, an article posted on Yahoo Education created quite a stir in agriculture circles. The article listed the “college majors that are useless,” based on a 2012 study. Interestingly, the article listed agriculture as the No. 1 “useless degree” in the U.S. According to the study, there will be 5% less jobs available in agriculture in the 10-year period from 2008-2018, as compared to the previous 10-year period. The article described agriculture coursework as crops, plant diseases, animal husbandry and basic veterinary science, which appears to be a quite limited perspective of agriculture-related career opportunities.

In 2010, the USDA estimated that that the annual number of job openings requiring a college degree with expertise in agriculture, food systems, renewable energy and environment will increase by 5% from 2010-2015, as compared to 2005-2010. USDA projects that over 54,000 college graduates will be needed each year to meet this job demand from 2010-2015, with 74% of these jobs being in business and science type of occupations. USDA estimates that only about 49,000 qualified graduates will be available each year to meet this growing job demand, with about 29,000 of those graduates coming agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) programs at colleges and universities, and the balance from other college majors.

How can these two projections be so completely opposite? Part of the explanation, is probably in definition. The study referenced in the Yahoo Education article appears to take a very narrow focus on the definition of agriculture and the types of career opportunities associated with a college degree in an agriculture-related field. By comparison, USDA takes a much broader approach to the agriculture industry, as it relates to food, fiber, renewable energy and associated careers.

Too often, we correlate “agriculture education” as being coursework to prepare young people for farming, or production agriculture, rather than considering the vast array of career opportunities and job openings that exist in AFNR. There are going to be many future career opportunities for our students in food safety and quality, renewable energy, environmental issues, business management and other areas. Enhancing AFNR programs and course offerings in our colleges and universities is certainly one strategy to help prepare our students for these future opportunities.

AgCareers.com is a national website devoted to AFNR job postings, and to assist students pursuing AFNR careers. According to a survey they conducted in 2010, there were 30% more job openings in AFNR-type positions, as compared to a year earlier. Sixty-five percent of those jobs required a bachelors degree, 11% required a masters degree or higher and the balance required lesser degrees. The survey found that the most positions requiring a bachelor’s degree had a starting salary of $40,000-50,000/year, plus health care coverage and retirement plans, with some offering incentive bonuses.

Some of the largest food and agricultural companies in the world are based out of Minnesota, and have many career opportunities available to college graduates. Of course, there are also many job opportunities available in regional centers and local communities throughout Minnesota that would prefer some AFNR training and coursework for available positions. Some of these job openings require a four-year degree, but others will accept a two-year degree or less, with the proper coursework and training. Based of the USDA definition of agriculture, there are ample future career opportunities available to young people pursuing a career in the food, fiber or renewable energy industry.

Editor’s note: Kent Thiesse is a former University of Minnesota Extension educator and now is Vice President of MinnStar Bank, Lake Crystal, MN. You can contact him at 507-726-2137 or via e-mail at [email protected].