Agricultural careers for South Central and Southwest MN
- Minnesota ranks #5 in the nation in agricultural production, with $17 billion in agricultural sales per year.
- Agriculture added over 1,300 new jobs from 2010 to 2020, a 31.2% growth rate.
- Southern Minnesota accounted for 55% of the state's market value of agricultural products sold, reaching almost $12 billion.
- Just over one quarter of this agriculture employment is located in Southern Minnesota. According to the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) data, Southern Minnesota provides about 6 percent of total jobs in the state, but 25 percent of the state’s jobs in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.
- There are a large number of job vacancies for agriculture-related occupations such as truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists; heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers; and agricultural, biological, chemical, and environmental technicians and engineers.
Click on the link below to download Agricultural infographics.
Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence
Check out the Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence website and information on Agriculture career pathways. The image below provides an example of the information you will find on the website.
Make sure to also check out summer events on the Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence website HERE! There are a lot of great opportunities for students to get involved!
FFA: The Future of Agriculture
The letters “FFA” once stood for Future Farmers of America, but FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers. FFA members are future teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners, and more. Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways. So today, they are still the Future Farmers of America, but, they are also the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future Veterinarians, Future Engineers and Future Entrepreneurs of America, too.
Check out the Minnesota FFA website to learn more and how to get involved.
Tips for attending Career Events and Career Fairs
There are many regional career events that provide opportunities for students to explore a variety of careers and career pathways. Students are also able to network with professionals from a variety of industries.
Here are some tips to help students make a great impression when connecting with employers and employees during career events.
- Dress appropriately - this could be your future employer
- Prepare - Review information about the event and what you may like to learn during the career event.
- Practice your introduction or “elevator speech” pitch. Develop a 20-30 second introduction of yourself that includes your name, your skills and accomplishments and what kind of career you’re seeking.
- Ask relevant questions and answer questions clearly and concisely,
- Be yourself! Employers happy to help answer you question.
South Central Workforce Council
Develop and Maintain a Quality Workforce for South Central Minnesota
Email: abby@workforcecouncil.org
Website: www.workforcecouncil.org
Location: 706 North Victory Drive, Mankato, MN, USA
Phone: 507-345-2408
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scworkforcecouncil/
