Bridging the Gap: Ag Awareness is for Everyone

Bridging the Gap: Ag Industry Awareness is for Everyone

We spent a few days at the farm over the weekend. My in-laws farm in Elkhart, Illinois, and this time of year, everyone is itching to spend more time outside. With beans to plant and calves to tag, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to break away and head to the farm.

Over the years, I’ve shared my personal story with students from elementary school to college. I didn’t grow up on a farm, and beyond driving past corn and soybean fields on my way to school, I had little understanding of agriculture. Some of my friends lived on farms, but it wasn’t until college that I began to grasp the vast industry behind those fields—and the countless professional opportunities beyond the title of “farmer.” I caught the bug and switched my major to agribusiness and never looked back.

That realization shaped my career. As an agribusiness professional, I’ve spent years teaching elementary students about where their food comes from and the incredible innovations behind the crops they see every day. I’ve mentored college students, helping them think critically about their future, prepare for the job market, and find a niche in agriculture they are passionate about.

Agriculture is more than farming—it’s science, economics, innovation, and sustainability. And yet, so many young people never get the chance to ask the questions that could open doors to a future in the industry.

While in college, I also happened to fall for a kid from a farm. His family farms corn and soybeans and raises cattle. My husband works in crop inputs distribution today. Oddly enough, it wasn’t until this past weekend that it really hit me how grateful I am that my children have the opportunity to learn about and participate in farm life.

Their curiosity is endless. They ask incredible questions with innocence and a genuine desire to learn—questions I never had the chance to ask until I was an adult, often hesitating for fear of asking a “stupid question.”

That privilege—the ability to grow up immersed in agriculture—is something my in-laws see as normal. But as an outsider, I recognize how valuable these experiences are, and it further validates my passion for sharing our industry with kids and adults who wouldn’t otherwise learn.

The Importance of Agricultural Education

If we want agriculture to thrive, we must continue bridging the knowledge gap. We need to bring the farm to the classroom and show young minds the possibilities agriculture holds—from sustainability and food security to technology and innovation.

Education doesn’t just prepare the next generation of farmers—it builds the future leaders of agribusiness, policy, and scientific research. It fosters curiosity, dismantles misconceptions, and ensures that agriculture remains strong and adaptable in a changing world.

So here’s my call to action: How can we do better? What strategies have worked in your community to engage the next generation in agriculture? Let’s share ideas and keep the conversation going—because the more we teach, the more we grow.