Agriculture is more than what happens on the farm
Kayla Hart, far right, is pictured in a meeting with NDFB President Val Wagner, and the Consul General of Canada, Beth Richardson, at a meeting this summer at the NDFB office in Bismarck.
by Kayla Hart
When you think about agriculture, it’s easy to picture a field, a tractor or cattle in a pasture. Those are important parts of agriculture, but there is so much more happening behind the scenes.
Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to see and be part of several different sides of agriculture. From visiting with producers and industry partners to attending events and having conversations about the future of agriculture, one thing continues to stand out: agriculture is a big industry, and it takes a lot of people to keep it moving.
Rusty Halvorson of KFGO interviews FFAer Boedy Miller during Big Iron in September.
One of the events that brought this to life was Big Iron in Fargo. The show brought together farmers, ranchers, equipment companies, agribusinesses and organizations from across the region. It was also a great opportunity to see young people engaging with the industry. North Dakota FFA state officers visited with Star Partners and learned more about the businesses and people who support agriculture.
These opportunities are important because agricultural education doesn't stop when students leave the classroom. Events like Big Iron give students the chance to meet people working in agriculture, ask questions, and start thinking about where they might fit in the industry.
NDFB President Val Wagner (center) was part of a panel discussion at Big Iron in September.
While there, Megan Overby and I had the opportunity to support NDFB President Val Wagner at a roundtable discussion focused on some of the challenges facing today’s farming community. Having Minnesota’s and North Dakota’s Farm Bureau and Farmers Union represented at the same table was a good reminder of how many different perspectives and organizations are involved in navigating the challenges facing agriculture. It was great to attend the same event, support Val, and see NDFB’s policy work in action. NDFB’s policy process is built around bringing members’ concerns forward and working toward solutions that impact farms, families, and rural communities.
That is something I’ve appreciated through my own involvement in agriculture. My career doesn’t look like the work happening on my family’s farm, but I still get to work with farmers, ranchers, educators, students, and businesses that are all connected to agriculture.
Agriculture touches far more careers and communities than we sometimes realize. The people who grow and raise our food are connected to educators, businesses, researchers, organizations, and countless others who help keep the industry moving.
That is something worth remembering as we look at the future of agriculture. We need people in all of these roles, and we need to continue showing young people that there is a place for them in this industry.
Sometimes finding that place starts with something as simple as a conversation, a classroom experience or a trip to an event like Big Iron. You never know where that first connection might lead.
Kayla Hart is from Chaseley, North Dakota, and works for the North Dakota FFA Foundation. She represents District 5 on the North Dakota Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, and also serves as committee chair.