News

Attracting more students to agriculture

The president and CEO of a Fortune 200 company says it’s time for agriculture to change how the industry is described.

Chris Policinski of Land O’Lakes tells Brownfield by changing the narrative of the industry it is an opportunity to attract a more diverse set of students to study agriculture and eventually enter the workforce.  “If you line it all up and talk about it as a growth industry, that’s entrepreneurial, that is driven by technology, and is global – I think we attract a different kind of student who wants to be part of that,” he says.  “And frankly many folks would be surprised at what I just said who aren’t involved in agriculture because they don’t think of it that way.”

Policinski took part in a discussion with students, hosted by Purdue University President Mitch Daniels kick off Purdue Ag Week.  He says a diverse background will be the key to a successful career.  “You may be interested in agriculture or ag technology, or business, or accounting, or engineering,” he says.  “If that’s your area of specialty, terrific.  But you need a broad background and an ability to work in a team environment because so many of the challenges we face and the opportunity we have in front of us in agriculture are going to be solved in a multi-discipline area way.”

Purdue Ag Week was started in 2011 as a way for ag students on Purdue’s campus to share information about the importance of agriculture with their fellow students.

Purdue Ag Week runs through April 16.