Ohio Farm Bureau ExploreAg Camp shows youth career opportunities
(Submitted photo)
A recent Ohio Farm Bureau ExploreAg camp recently graduated seven students after a multi-day immersion into the career opportunities Ohio agriculture has to offer. During the camp, held at Wilmington College, teens learned about agriculture and related STEM fields from industry experts, scientists and educators.
“These camps truly highlight the vast array of possibilities for a meaningful career in Ohio’s farm and food industries for students who may have never considered seeking a role in these fields,” said Katie Share, ExploreAg and youth development specialist with Ohio Farm Bureau. “As the need for a strong next generation of workforce continues to grow, agriculture is teeming with opportunities in all aspects of food production, from agronomy to technology, and we are excited to share many of these opportunities with ExploreAg participants.”
Research shows that the 10-year need for workers in agribusiness occupations totals nearly 470,000. More than 90,000 of this need is in farming occupations, including agricultural managers.
In addition to the classroom experience, students participated in field experiences that highlight cutting-edge research, and introduced industry partners, to provide scholars with a glimpse of innovative careers in related fields.
Some of the highlights of the camp included hands-on opportunities out at the Wilmington College Academic Farm, where students were able to learn about the animals' needs first-hand. Some key experiences included; vaccinating some of the cattle, trimming sheep hooves, as well as trying their hand at collecting soil samples. Students also had the opportunity to visit industry partners, such as getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse at Buckley Bros, Inc. to learn about the science behind various animal feeds. They took a visit to Nutrien where they learned about safety priorities and all of the careers available there, explored the interconnected careers within Wilmington Air Park and the world of agriculture and STEM, and so much more.
To learn more about this FREE one-of-a-kind science camps for teens and upcoming dates, visit ExploreAg.org. Parents and students can find more information by contacting info@exploreag.org.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.