By Scout Nelson
At Husker Harvest Days, Nebraska's largest ag show, Governor Jim Pillen and Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton engaged with FFA officers on the future of agriculture. The event, held near Grand Island, attracts around 100,000 visitors annually over three days.
On Wednesday, thousands of FFA members attended the show, where State FFA Vice President Peyton Hinrichs raised a critical question about keeping young agriculturalists in Nebraska. Hinrichs asked,
"How are we supposed to keep those young agriculturalists with their passion for agriculture here, rooted in Nebraska? What are you guys doing to help promote that?"
Governor Pillen responded that while most students want to stay in Nebraska, economic development needs to improve. He suggested using tax credits to support young people as they start their careers and emphasized the importance of family involvement in multi-generational business planning.
“Grandmas and grandpas, moms and dads, have to spend more time on multi-generational planning and making sure that your family’s business will be successful for generations to come,” he said.
Pillen also highlighted the need for more livestock veterinarians, pointing to Nebraska’s Elite 11 Veterinary Program as a crucial initiative. Vinton noted the program helps rural students afford veterinary school, a significant financial commitment.
The discussion also covered the role of technology in agriculture. Pillen emphasized that modern farmers must embrace new technologies and be ready for future jobs, such as those in second-generation ethanol production. “There are careers that none of us can comprehend today that are going to happen from that,” he said.
Both leaders stressed the importance of marketing and education to prepare young producers for these emerging opportunities in agriculture.
Photo Credit: husker-harvest-days
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock