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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — JULY 23/JULY 30, 2021
Coach, entrepreneur, teacher…farmer? What’s your talent? Coming out of college, all I wantthis column — to help employee ed to do was be a college baseball development in the GreenSeam and coach, just like my dad. I grew up to attract those who might not necin baseball, played in college and essarily be looking into a career in that is what I knew. Eventually, I the agriculture and food industry. was a head coach at two different Since that class project, I have universities. I enjoyed it and was continued to volunteer with having some success. However, a GreenSeam which “works to bolster temporary detour to start a basethe growth of the food and ag ball franchise in the Northwoods industry by attracting, building, League changed that coaching TALENT IN THE GREENSEAM and empowering new and existing path. The entrepreneurial bug got businesses, their workforce, and By Shane Bowyer me and I eventually started a coucommunities they call home.” ple businesses. Previously, I always Even though there are various had a side-hustle — or in today’s terms a gig (more on gigs later) — which instilled in me that entrepre- aspects of focus within the GreenSeam organization, because of my position in education, developing talent neurial spirit. But then, all this led to another in the agriculture workforce has become a passion. career change: actually teaching entrepreneurship at the university level. This past winter I worked with GreenSeam on its annual “State of Ag” report which was released in Looking at this article’s headline, you are probably March 2021 (greenseam.org). Not surprising, but guessing my next career move would be that of respondents listed talent/employees second only to becoming a farmer. Well, not really; but starting in policy/regulations as the top issue that threatens 2014 I jumped into agriculture and food with both feet. That was when Greater Mankato Growth start- agriculture or food business’s ability to grow — as well as having an overall negative impact on operaed GreenSeam and students in one of my business courses created some promotional videos about agri- tions. About 66 percent of the respondents in the culture. It was through that project I began to real- report noted they plan to hire additional employees in the next year. Recent national high unemployize the true impact of agriculture and food in our ment numbers, especially related to Covid-19, were region, as well as our region’s impact across the not impacting the agriculture industry as much as globe. Remember, I am a baseball guy and this ag the hard-hit service industry. Agriculture and food stuff was all new to me. The closest thing to agriindustries needed even more people. The supply culture for me was plowing the infield and using a chain was disrupted with the new ways people were leather baseball glove! eating and the inability to transport product. As a What I also noticed through the project was the result, the gap in employer needs and lack of availincredible opportunities for students in the agriculable employees interested in agriculture careers ture and food industry. For example, one of those stu- continues to grow and will be an issue as we need to dents in that business class came to Mankato to play feed a growing world population. basketball in college. Like me, he had no connection Furthermore, a report from the U.S. Department to agriculture. His roommate persuaded him to help of Agriculture and Purdue University released last with a part-time job at a farm for some spending money. His eyes were opened and he was able to find December shows a strong demand for new college an ag-related internship despite not growing up on a graduates with degrees in agricultural programs at least through 2025. The report noted the employer farm. He then received a job offer and is now workdemand will exceed the available agriculture graduing full-time in seed sales. This is why I am writing
Intern in the Sara Jacobson Brandon, MN School: MNSU Mankato Major: Business Management Internship at Christensen Farms
How did you hear about your internship? I joined the SHRM club at MNSU my freshman year to gain knowledge about HR and expand my network. Just a few months after joining, I voiced my interest in finding an HR internship within the Ag industry. Our SHRM President directed me to a previous guest speaker from Christensen Farms. I guess you could say the rest is history! Why did you choose and internship in agriculture? I wanted to work for a company that makes a difference every day. I knew that working in the Ag industry would allow me to be a part of something bigger. Providing food for our nation is very important and I take a lot of pride in working for a company that markets nearly 3 million hogs per year. What are you learning on the job you didn’t in class? I am learning how to communicate and effectively work with business professionals inside and outside of our compa-
ates. Even though education is needed, 79 percent of respondents in the “State of Ag” survey said experience is most important to agriclulture businesses when hiring. Higher education was second at 47 percent. Another factor impacting the the agriculture and food workforce is innovation and entrepreneurship. As mentioned earlier, throughout my career I have seemed to have a side-hustle or “gig” along with my regular job. That entrepreneurial spirit is very similar to many farmers, who are considered by some sources as the original entrepreneurs. I noticed this first hand when I was a recent member of Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership program (MARL). Most of my classmates were in agriculture, but had a side-hustle, whether it was to make ends meet on the farm or to continue involvement in agriculture while working a traditional non-ag job. The intention of “Talent in the GreenSeam” is to focus on developing the workforce in agriculture. This may include topics and examples as to how regional agriculture and food companies can better recruit employees; as well as develop the necessary skills of the future workforce. We will be seeking the opinions of non-ag people on what they are looking for in a career and how the agriculture industry could use that information to recruit talent. We are interested in the development of high school students through working adults within the GreenSeam territory (Minnesota and northern Iowa). Farmfest is taking place in Morgan, Minn. from Aug. 3-5 and GreenSeam will be there. I encourage you to stop by the GreenSeam booth at FarmFest to learn more about talent initiatives in agriculture and food industries. I will also be at the Minnesota State Mankato booth. Both organizations are located in the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute tent #612. I look forward to meeting you and welcome your thoughts and comments. Dr. Shane Bowyer is the Director of AgriBusiness and Food Innovation at Minnesota State University, Mankato. You can reach him for comments or talent ideas at shane.bowyer@mnsu.edu. v ny. I have also been able to see what a day in the life of an HR professional looks like. In what ways has your employer worked with you to be flexible for your student life and classes? My managers and co-workers here at Christensen Farms have always prioritized my class schedule and schoolwork. They believe school comes first and are always willing to be flexible. The HR team is always willing to participate in class surveys and learn about my school projects. What’s your favorite animal? Cats, but I would not consider myself a “crazy cat lady!” What’s you favorite food? Porkchops and pulled pork – I can’t pick a favorite! What is you favorite band? Jordan Davis and Brothers Osborne