The Importance of Future Agriculturalists

I was born on a family farm in a small community named Stanley, Kentucky.  It has been a blessing from God.  For, I believe that family farming is much more than just acres of pliable soil; it is a tradition.  To me, a family farm is like an age-old tree. Alive for many centuries, a tree will bear many fruits and it will pass those fruits on until some grow and become another tree. It is the same with family farming. Family farming continues throughout the generations and is passed on to new ones. Just as the tree holds all of the generations of the family in its roots in the land after the death in the family, the family name too will live on forever in the soil of its crops. 

It has become a recent concern of many agriculturalists all across the nation that the future of family farming is in a troubled state. It has always been a rising concern. This metaphor is a good reason why I believe family-farming operations are an essential part of the tomorrow of agriculture.  I am aware of the average age of the current U.S. farmer, which is 55, and do know that this number is not good for the future of agriculture, but I also realize that there are many strong farming operations out there today, with my family’s being one of them.

 I look around my own community and see family farming operations of 5000 acres or more and watch them continue to grow each year.  Farmers do not only drive a tractor to plant and harvest a bountiful crop to feed millions in the world. They also farm because it is a love they have, and that love is spread throughout future generations of the family.  In the 1800’s, children were expected to carry on the family farm in hopes to be as successful as their parents, and I believe this practice still happens in this day and age.  As it is quite evident, traditions and practices are different than those of the 1800’s.  College is a common course of action today and therefore many more careers are available to the public, which eventually led to the decrease of family farming operations.  Although there are many more career paths to be chosen from, there are many young adults, along with myself, choosing a career path in agriculture.

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) has over 2500 students working towards making the tomorrow of agriculture more efficient.  The University of Kentucky ‘s land grant institution gives College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment students many opportunities, such as hands on experience on university research farms, research labs, and a high quality education that is incomparable to any other.  It is important to have land grant institutions such as the University of Kentucky across the nation, because without the prestigious research and education conducted by these schools, agriculture would not continue to strive and improve like it continues to do so today.

Agriculture is a key part of everyone’s day-to-day life. No person can live without the essentials that agriculture provides. With UK students contributing to the production of these essentials, agriculture can continue to flourish.  The UK CAFE recognizes that the average age of the American farmer continues to increase, therefore they are making strides to ensure this trend does not continue. As agriculture becomes more necessary, due to the increasing demands because of rising populations, the University of Kentucky is developing research and education to ensure that there are always future agriculturalists to continue America’s finest tradition and necessity.

In conclusion, from only being at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment for a little over a year, I have already come to realize how influential my agriculture education will be when I have a career in the agricultural industry and carry on my own family farm. With that being said, I could not be happier with the decision I made two years ago to come to the University of Kentucky. I would not be the person I am today without the education I have received and the people that I have met. I know myself, along with many others at the University of Kentucky, are working to become future agriculturalists in order to make the tomorrow of agriculture the best it has ever been. 


Lauren is a sophomore from Owensboro, Kentucky.  She is a Horticulture, Plant & Soil Science major, specializing in Agronomy.

See Blue…and Blue Jackets!!!

When the last full week in October rolls around, memories start flowing back into my mind. Last week,  people from all over the United Sates boarded airplanes or made road trips to Indianapolis, Indiana for the National FFA Convention.  I have been in FFA since I was a freshman in high school and I am still a member to this day.  This years’ National FFA Convention was a special one for me because I received my American Degree, which is the highest degree that an FFA member can obtain. It requires dedication, hard work, and a passion for agriculture. FFA has made an everlasting impact on my life. It has made me the person I am today. Whether I was competing on my chapter’s Parliamentary Procedure Team, saying an impromptu speech, or trying to see if I could meet at least one person from every state, I loved every moment! The words “I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years…” are permanently implemented in my head, as I’m sure they are for many people. The adrenaline rush that each and every one of you get when you are in the mist of competing is priceless!  

 

                However, you don’t have to be in high school in order to enjoy the atmosphere of convention. Colleges and companies from every part of the United States attend convention in search of students and employees. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture was there this year in search of blue jackets that want to become a Wildcat! The College of Agriculture Ambassadors and UK Ag Education students worked the UK booth all week.  Not only can people check out colleges that they may be interested in, but college students can look into graduate school or even start networking to line up a job for after graduation.  There are numerous opportunities that are given at the National FFA Convention.  I hope you took advantage of them. Even though I am unable to attend convention as a College of Agriculture Ambassador this year, I know that those who went had a blast!   

As a Kentuckian, I am proud to say that the Convention comes back to Louisville next year!  I hope Louisville is prepared to be flooded with a sea of blue jackets once again! Maybe after their interactions last week and in the years to come, many will want to continue to “see blue.” at the University of Kentucky!

Congrats to Joenelle Futrell & OTHERS on being named a National FFA Officer!

On a side note, we are excited that one of our own Wildcats was chosen to serve as the 2012-2013 National FFA Eastern Region Vice-President.  Joenelle Futrell will serve Kentucky and the nation as she and five other National Officers will lead the 550,000+ member organization for the next year.  During her year of service, she will travel over 100,000 miles and have the opportunity to speak to thousands of FFA members and interact with agriculture, education, and government officials.  She is the eleventh National FFA Officer from Kentucky and the first female National FFA Officer from Kentucky.   Futrell is a member of the Daviess County FFA Chapter and is a junior at the University of Kentucky where she is majoring in Agricultural Education.

 Hanna is a senior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Agricultural Biotechnology.  She is from Chaplin, Kentucky.  Her goal is to attend pharmacy school.  She is involved with UK Block & Bridle, and is a COA Agricultural Ambassador. Hanna also received her FFA American Degree. 

Question: What do you get when you cross agriculture and United States Presidents?

Answer: Our country's history!
 It’s President’s Day.  Did you know that a great number of our Presidents have an agriculture background? George Washington, the first President of the United States of America, had a large tobacco plantation.  Right here in Lexington we house the estate and farmland of the greatest man to never become President, Henry Clay. Thomas Jefferson owned the famed Monticello plantation. Who can forget about the peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia, Jimmy Carter! And while an education from the UK College of Agriculture cannot guarantee you’ll become President, it can definitely set the stage for a bright a future. 

Agriculture has moved in leaps and bounds from the traditional “plows, sows, and cows.” Before writing agriculture off, I would suggest you take a second look at the College of Ag at UK! UK Ag houses not only the traditional Ag majors- animal science, horticulture, equine science, etc.- but a variety of non-traditional agriculture majors as well. We have the School of Human and Environmental Sciences which is home to Human Nutrition, Dietetics, Family Science, and  Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles.  I bet you never expected to find Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles in the College of Ag; but that is what’s so great about us- our variety! Our College of Ag graduates go on to become buyers for major retail chains (Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles majors), family counselors, heads of non-profits, prominent Ag economists, lawyers, doctors, pharmacists and so much more! 

We are still waiting for a graduate to become President, so you might even set your sights on that! Speaking of, Community Communications and Leadership Development (CLD for short) would be a great starting point for presidential aspirations. This is my major, so I’m a little partial, but we study what makes communities work and how to not only lead yourself, but others! Leadership is a crucial skill in our ever growing and changing workforce, and I feel confident that the leadership training I have received as part of my undergraduate degree will help me in all aspects of my life- not just my career path. 

While I don’t want to be president, I do want to make an impact. On campus I’ve been involved in various student groups and some of my favorite activities have centered around leadership. I participate in the Turner Leadership Academy, a leadership development program in which you actually graduate with a certificate in Leadership- pretty cool and it is open to all College of Ag majors! I also have attended UK Leadership Summit and served as a peer facilitator for Summit. Summit brings all of the student leaders across campus together at a retreat and we discuss how we can make a positive impact in the UK community. 

Community service also has a big place in my heart and I love that it goes hand in hand with my major. In my personal leadership development class at UK, taught by a student favorite, Grace Gorrell, we were required to do a community service project as a group. This not only taught us teamwork, but the true value of servant leadership and serving others. I spend time off campus volunteering at  my church with the homeless community, as well as with Alzheimer's and dementia families. I look forward to integrating my love of leadership and community service into all of my future endeavors. After I graduate, while I do not plan on moving into the White House, I will be working on a campaign. Politics and the College of Ag? Like I said, we are full of variety! 

So whether you know that you want to major in Ag from the start, or you think the College of Ag is just not for you- come check us out anyway! Chances are we have more opportunities than you had ever thought about! 

To check out all of our majors, visit the UK College of Agriculture page!

  

Tatum is a senior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Community Communications & Leadership Development.  She is from Murray, Kentucky in Calloway County.  She is involved across campus with Alpha Phi, UK College Republicans, COA Agriculture Ambassadors and plans to work on a political campaign upon graduation.