PLEASE HELP: OSU Extension Survey to Prepare Next Generation Workforce in Agriculture and Food Systems

Do you or someone you know employ workers in the areas of production agriculture, forestry, food and beverage product manufacturing, or other related businesses in input manufacturing or input service?

Ohio State University Extension is looking for employers to complete a short 10-15 minute survey about their recruitment, retention, training, and competencies needs to better prepare the next generation of workers, to increase awareness of career and employment pathways, and to help create future programming/training for youth focused on careers in agriculture, food systems, and forestry.

 

If you would be willing to participate, please complete the survey by clicking on this LINK.  Or feel free to forward to someone else you may know who employs individuals in these areas.

Responses are needed by July 31, 2024. 

Thank you in advance for helping us become better informed to prepare and recruit the next gen workforce!

Please feel free to reach out to Jackie Wilkins (wilkins.201@osu.edu) if you have questions.

Teen Opportunity: Be a Veterinarian for a Day!

Are you a high school student with dreams of becoming a veterinarian? Now’s your chance to step into the shoes of a professional and experience the world of a veterinarian firsthand!

Join our “Vet for a Day” program at the Ohio State Fair:

  • Engage in Interactive Demonstrations: Learn about anatomy, practice basic medical procedures, and understand the daily responsibilities of the doctors.
  • Hands-On Experience: Participate in simulated medical scenarios, use real medical equipment, and get a taste of what it’s like to work on a farm or in a clinic.
  • Career Guidance: Receive valuable advice on veterinary school applications, career paths in the profession and financial aid options.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore your passion in animal care medicine. Apply now and take the first step towards your future!

Date: Thursday, August 1, 2024, 9 am

Location: Ohio State Fairgrounds (717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus OH 43211)

Registration Deadline: July 31, 2024

 

For more details and to register, click here.

Source: Ohio Ag Ed Newsletter – July 23, 2024

Teen Opportunity: Spark EXPO registration is fast approaching!

From June 12-15, teens at the Spark EXPO will learn about agriculture and related STEAM fields from industry experts, and faculty and staff of the Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

Spark EXPO is open to all Ohio students who have completed the eighth grade or ninth grade at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year. Participants do not need to be enrolled in the 4-H program.

As part of Spark EXPO, students visit Ohio State’s Columbus and Wooster campuses and learn from Ohio State students, teachers, scientists, and researchers. Students explore careers, hear from Ohio 4-H alumni who share their career stories, and learn about the college and career-readiness program: Ohio 4-H Pathways to the Future.

The deadline to register is April 17, and details are at go.osu.edu/4hsparkexpo.

The event includes on-campus accommodations, meals, program materials, and transportation. Supervision is provided by adult program staff.

Teen Opportunity: ExploreAg this summer!

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to announce we will once again be hosting several free ExploreAg Camp experiences this summer! Please use this flyer to share this opportunity with rising high school students in your community.

ExploreAg Overview

Purpose: Discover careers linked to agriculture and related STEM fields through a series of immersive and hands-on experiences and tours.

Who: Ohio students entering grades 9-12 in the fall, or soon-to-be recent high school graduates.

Cost: Free 

Learn more and apply by April 15 at ExploreAg.org

2024 ExploreAg Summer Sessions

  • May 31, COLT Electric Lineman Training, Mt. Gilead
  • June 4-7, Wilmington College
  • June 9-14, OSU Columbus Campus
  • June 16-21, OSU Wooster Campus
  • July 7-12, University of Findlay

ExploreAg is Ohio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, offering free week, multi-day and day-long immersion programs for high school students. In ExploreAg, teens learn about agriculture and related STEM fields from industry experts, scientists and educators.

Questions or concerns? Contact info@exploreag.org.

Warm regards,

Mary Klopfenstein

ExploreAg & Ag Literacy Coordinator, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation

Teen Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Spark EXPO Registration is now open!

The official Ohio 4-H Spark EXPO registration is now open and will be available through April 17, 2024.

From June 12-15, teens at the Spark EXPO will learn about agriculture and related STEAM fields from industry experts, and faculty and staff of the Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Open to all Ohio students who have completed the eighth grade or ninth grade at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year. Participants do not need to be enrolled in the 4-H program. The event includes on-campus accommodations, meals, program materials, and transportation. Supervision is provided by adult program staff.

As part of Spark EXPO, students visit Ohio State’s Columbus and Wooster campuses and learn from Ohio State students, teachers, scientists, and researchers. Students explore careers, hear from Ohio 4-H alumni who share their career stories, and learn about the college and career-readiness program: Ohio 4-H Pathways to the Future.

Parents will have the opportunity on the final day of Spark to meet the CFAES admissions team and learn how to better prepare their students for their post-high school education and careers. Parents and students can find more information here or by contacting Margo Overholt-Seckel, program manager, Ohio 4-H Workforce Development & Pathways at overholt-seckel.1@osu.edu.

The deadline to register is April 17, and details are at go.osu.edu/4hsparkexpo.

Scholarship Opportunity: AgCareers.com Feed Your Future Scholarship – due 11/30/2023

AgCareers.com is excited to bring you the Feed Your Future Scholarship!

Images of agriculture jobs and careers

We’ve designed this scholarship to financially assist students studying agriculture or intending to pursue a career in agriculture.  

AgCareers.com will award two $1,000 scholarships annually to one U.S. student and one Canadian student.

Scholarship Requirements:  

For more information, click here.
Source: Agcareers.com website

Ohio Ag Council Scholarship – due 2/15/2024

The Ohio Agricultural Council annually offers scholarships to assist students in pursuing a career in an agricultural-related field. Scholarships are available to high school seniors preparing to enter college or any undergraduate student currently enrolled in college. Applicants or their parent or legal guardian must be a resident of Ohio. This scholarship is a one-time-only award and is not available to prior recipients.

Scholarships are selected based on academic record, leadership qualities, community involvement and responses to application essay questions. Scholarship recipients are also provided a one-year complimentary student membership in OAC.

Click here for scholarship program instructions and application FAQsScholarship applications for the 2024-25 school year are now available. Completed applications must be returned to the Ohio Agricultural Council by February 15, 2024.

Source: Ohio Agricultural Council Website: https://ohioagcouncil.org/education/

Ohio Soybean Council Scholarships – due 1/12/2024

The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA), the membership and policy arm for Ohio soybean farmers, is offering one $1,000 scholarship to students of any major with a passion for the soybean industry. The scholarship will be applied to the 2024-2025 school year. Applicants must be a full-time student at college, university or a technical school who have completed 15 hours of credit and must be able to provide proof of legal residency in Ohio. Click here for more information.

Those who apply must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and must be a child or grandchild of an OSA member or be a Student and Young Adult Member themselves (SYA membership is $10). Applications open on Monday, October 23, 2023and must be completed by Friday, January 12, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST.

Contact Eric Robinson at erobinson@soyohio.org with any questions.

The Ohio Soybean Association is governed by a volunteer farmer board dedicated to education and promotion, as well as to uniting producer interest through support of legislative activities beneficial to the Ohio soybean industry.

Source: Ohio Soybean Council website.