As the Class of 2015 receive their diplomas there is more evidence of the growing shortage of well-trained employees in agriculture.
A new five-year projection from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Purdue University says from 2015 through 2020 there will be an estimated 57,900 job openings for college graduates with a degree in agriculture. During that period, there will be an annual average of 35,400 new U.S. graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher in ag-related fields. That means there will be 22,500 jobs not being filled by those trained in agriculture.
The report projects almost half of the job opportunities will be in management and business. Another 27 percent will be in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas.
Jobs in food and biomaterials production will make up 15 percent, and 12 percent of the openings will be in education, communication and governmental services.
Source: www.brownfieldagnews.com