Great Bend Tribune
Published May 1, 2022
This is written prior to the release of the weekly drought monitor report.听Hopefully some of the promised rain has arrived as you read this.听Even if the area was fortunate enough to receive several inches of rain (not likely) it would moderate but not eliminate the drought.听Any rain will help wheat hang on and perhaps help newly planted corn emerge.听The six to ten-day outlook (May 3 to 7) indicates a 33 to 40% chance of above normal temperatures and 50 to 60% chance of above-normal precipitation.听The eight to fourteen-day outlook (May 5 to 11) indicates a 33 to 40% chance of above-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation.听Even with normal precipitation, the drought conditions aren鈥檛 going anywhere.听Last week we discussed the labor shortage challenges common to all phases of agriculture and contributing factors. This week鈥檚 column suggests some possible solutions to help.
- Those of us in all aspects of agriculture must develop and implement a strategy to effectively reach out to the nonfarm population, especially in more urban areas.听This includes changing the view of many regarding exactly what agriculture is.听That ag is high tech and has many high-paying career options.听That ag is science and technology-based.听That ag is looking for capable, responsible individuals and they don鈥檛 need an ag background.
- To implement the first bullet point, it鈥檚 vital to change the perception of career counselors in many high schools.听Industry and ag educators must go into the schools, not just high schools, and expose students and staff to the career opportunities in ag.听Also, a targeted campaign for older individuals of the opportunities for careers in agriculture and the opportunity to improve their financial situations with a steady reliable career.
- Some of these careers require on-the-job training.听Many need a certificate/technical education or听two-year degree.听Some will require a B.S., or post-graduate degree.听How do we make these affordable?听Should we find public monies and/or have industry recruit individuals while paying for the education with a contract requiring them to work for the firm for a period of time.听
- The ag community must, and it has been trying, to have both sides of the aisle in Washington to develop an effective immigration policy to help provide the necessary workforce for ag.听This includes seasonal employees for some sectors but also those who would permanently move here to achieve green card status and perhaps eventually citizenship.
- Not that this isn鈥檛 already on the radar of many, but we have to find a path to improve the quality of life in rural areas.听This includes affordable, decent housing; access to healthcare; quality schools and educational opportunities; high-speed reliable internet allowing for business to be conducted from anywhere; amenities such as restaurants, movies, etc.听There are organizations working on this but do we have the will to invest in our rural areas.
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