Forums

Human Capital Challenges in the Food and Agriculture Sector

Whether you have a herd of dairy cows that need to be milked multiple times a day, a research project that needs qualified scientists, or an orchard of apples that require seasonal picking, the availability of skilled labor is a critical element in the success of any operation in the nation’s food and agriculture sector.

The topic of the April 23, 2019 Farm Foundation Forum was Human Capital Challenges in the Food and Agriculture Sector.  The panel of educators and industry leaders discussed the innovative approaches they are taking to meeting the sector’s human capital needs, as well as further steps needed to enhance agriculture’s labor pool. Members of the panel were:

• Cathann Kress, Ph.D., Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University.
• Drew Ratterman, Sales Effectiveness and Development Leader, Corteva Agriscience.
• Ohio agribusiness leader Lou Kozma, President of Hirzel Farms.
• Dairy farmer Robert Foster, President of Foster Brothers Farm, Middlebury, VT.

This Forum will originate from the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Columbus, Ohio.

If you missed the live event, a webcast is available for viewing.

The Forum: Farm Foundation organizes these public forums to engage all stakeholders in informed dialogue on food, agricultural and rural policies. Participants examine current policies, explore and analyze alternative policy options, and give voice to new proposals.