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Strengthening the agricultural career pipeline

Cargill’s FFA alumni are living proof that there are myriad job options in agriculture beyond farming. 

February 21, 2018

Growing up in rural Oklahoma, it was hard for Amy Gifford to imagine her potential beyond her family’s dairy farm. She wanted to continue her family’s legacy in agriculture, but struggled to see where her interest and skills fit in the picture.

Gifford grew up on a third-generation dairy farm and joined the National FFA Organization, an intracurricular student agricultural group for high schoolers. The group is formerly known as Future Farmers of America, and while it states on its website that “the letters are part of our history and heritage that will never change,” it also says that it doesn’t just exist for students who want to be production farmers.

That’s what happened for Amy. She was immediately exposed to the potential career paths that would allow her to keep agriculture central in her life away from the farm.

“I knew from an early age that agriculture was my family’s passion and livelihood and I wanted to stay connected,” she said. “FFA helped me see how agriculture touches so many business sectors and I can still make a meaningful impact beyond our farm.” inpage-Strengthening the agricultural career pipeline Amy Gifford (right) in her own FFA days: “I knew that agriculture was my family’s passion and I wanted to stay connected.” 

Paying it forward

Gifford majored in agricultural communications and is now an internal business support services consultant for Cargill Protein in Wichita, Kansas. As an FFA alumna, she says she’s determined to pay it forward by offering teens the same opportunities she received when she was thinking about her future.

“Without FFA at my small rural school, I wouldn’t have had the same career exposure,” she said. “I want students to see the possibilities available to them.”

Since 1951 Cargill has supported the National FFA and local associations and chapters in the markets it serves, investing more than $15 million. This support creates connections with future talent and fosters innovative career education.

As Cargill evolves its support of FFA, alumni across the company are organizing to better support chapters in areas Cargill serves. For Gifford, that means helping organize “Glimpse of Cargill.”

In its fourth year, the daylong program brings over 150 students from FFA chapters across Kansas and Oklahoma to Cargill’s Wichita location in March. Employees from different parts of the business are on hand to talk to students about all of the career paths available at an international agriculture company with expertise in protein, grains, animal nutrition, trading and food ingredients.

The event has morphed from a career fair to a moment for students to think critically about how they can make the world a better place, Gifford said. This year’s event will challenge students to work in small groups to discuss what role they could play in feeding a rapidly growing world population.

“Even if they go into another field, everyone is more curious about where food comes from and we have this opportunity to help young people understand food production,” Gifford said. “They will be more thoughtful and informed advocates and consumers too.”

Evolving the partnership

In addition to Glimpse of Cargill, the company helps produce several other FFA initiatives including Agriscience, which focuses on students advancing their knowledge of food security, nutrition, environmental and sustainability. Cargill also supports the national convention, the State Officer Leadership Continuum program, and provides community grants for “Living to Serve.”

The company is also growing the Cargill-FFA alumni network to reach more chapters across the country and strengthen the career pipeline and networking opportunities for students.

“We believe FFA is creating the foundation for a more promising future by preparing young leaders to be agriculture, food and nutrition leaders,” said Ruth Kimmelshue, the leader of Cargill’s Business Operations and Supply Chain group and former member of the National FFA Organization Board of Directors. “FFA is inspiring the kind of breakthrough leaders we look for as we build our global team of more than 155,000 employees.”

Virtual field trip

John Niemann, president of Cargill Protein Ingredients & International in Wichita, also grew up in FFA and served on the National FFA Sponsors Board. He said one of the most promising developments in Cargill’s FFA partnership is the opportunity to reach students virtually in the classroom.

“Thirty years ago, students had to go somewhere to see us in action,” he said. “Today, we are reaching those who might not have the resources to travel by doing live video tours that can be viewed in classrooms across the country.”

Last year Cargill participated in “The Science Behind Your Food,” a virtual field trip that reached more than 100,000 students nationwide and provided teachers with materials to discuss food production and culinary careers. inpage-2 Strengthening the agricultural career pipeline Cargill's John Niemann (center), surrounded by FFA students.

Mark Poeschl, National FFA Organization CEO, said he is thankful for Cargill’s ability to inspire students as they explore career paths.

“As we look toward the future, we know that developing a talent pipeline for the industry is critical to innovation, growth and sustainability,” he said. “We are appreciative of a partner who also sees the need for the future and invests in today’s students.”