This article was written by Kentucky FFA Foundation Executive Director, Sheldon McKinney. It first appeared in a February issue of The Farmer's Pride. 

Each January, the Foundation starts the new year by traveling all over the Commonwealth with the Kentucky FFA State Officer team on our annual Industry Tour. Over the course of four days, we visited seventeen sponsors or friends of Kentucky FFA.

This tour always affirms that Kentucky agriculture is so important, diverse and and it’s all connected. From the log woods in the east to open grain fields in the west, our partners shared a common message: agriculture desperately needs people. More than just people, agriculture needs leaders and the opportunities have never been brighter in our industry. Agriculture teachers in over 175 FFA chapters across Kentucky are working hard to meet the demand for the industry. We are serving over 20,000 Kentucky FFA members! I left buzzing with the question, “How can we keep up with the demand for agricultural leaders?”

The Kentucky FFA Foundation exists to be a bridge to the agricultural industry and the agriculture classroom. FFA has always had excellent agricultural industry partners because the talent pipeline we provide is so obvious. FFA is growing future farmers, employees, customers and leaders. We impart values, opportunities and experiences that inspire students to come, or stay, in the agricultural industry.

Our industry partners shared challenges & opportunities in recruiting employees. We need all kinds of people in agriculture and our Kentucky FFA State Officer team got to see so many jobs currently available. Some include: a forest land manager, welder, cattle farmer, banker, equipment sales, equipment technician, “baby pig” manager, meat processor, agriculture marketing, storytelling, financial management, manufacturing work and so much more. The opportunities and skill sets needed are absolutely endless. There’s truly a place for everyone in the agriculture industry.

The common theme that every employer shared was this: Come ready to work, be easy to get along with, teachable and just keep showing up.

We had great discussion with our industry hosts about their careers and the path that led them to where they are today. It should come as no surprise, that many paths were pretty winding and maybe not what they intended to be doing when they graduated high school. That’s true for me.

When I was 17, thought I wanted to be a doctor, a beautician or an agriculture teacher. It was a work experience in a doctor’s office in my hometown that showed me I wasn’t made for the medical field, and my high school agriculture teacher telling me I was too talented to not go to college. So I tried my hand at being an agriculture teacher. I loved it, however, that path led me to the Kentucky FFA Foundation, building partnerships and capacity for all Kentucky FFA members. I didn’t even know a job like mine existed when I was graduating high school and answering the question, “What do I want to be?”

To a high school student trying to determine their path in life, this world with so much opportunity and choice can be overwhelming. It’s hard to know exactly what you want to do with your life when you’re 18. I’m so grateful FFA was a part of my life, because for me, and so many others, it shows you lots of possible paths to take and FFA instills values that make the journey easier. It grows you into a leader, adaptable, ready to work, passionate about agriculture. It also puts lots of people on your path,  like fellow members or agriculture teachers who can help you along.

Here’s the one thing I know for sure. We cannot meet the need of the agriculture industry without first, meeting the need of agricultural educators in classrooms across Kentucky. They are the magic. Agriculture teachers are the ones who instill leadership, inspire future agriculturalists, teach entrepreneurship, call out students talents and who show them the path.

It is critical that the Kentucky FFA Foundation works to meet the demand of the agricultural industry. We cannot do that without first meeting the need of agriculture teachers in classrooms. We have many projects and initiatives in place and we are working on that task every day. We need support from individuals and companies to make it happen. I would love to share with you ways to support this work.

FFA Week is coming soon. I challenge you to do a few things to celebrate. First, thank an agriculture teacher. If your teacher who made a difference in your life, tell them. If it’s a local program that you see doing good work, or you would like to support, reach out and tell that local teacher. Lift them up in word and deed. Next, if you would like to show your support of our inspiring task, make a gift on Give FFA Day, Thursday, February 23rd. Any dollar helps! Visit www.kyffa.org and select the “Give FFA Day” button.