Good on them. That was my response to this month’s theme for the Farmers Guardian’s #FarmingCAN campaign. It is great to see FG giving the sector the career recognition it deserves – we should be proud. Agriculture is not promoted as an industry to go for, but it offers one hell of a career.
When I was at school there were only certain people who actually knew what they wanted to do, but the percentage of people who didn’t was much higher. When trying to figure out what route to take however agriculture was not put forward as an option. Yet few other sectors provide such diverse, fulfilling jobs. It is overlooked and underplayed. It’s frustrating that such an exciting and moreover essential, industry is dismissed.
A point often overlooked too is that for lots of reasons agriculture should be considered ‘better’ than other industries. Firstly, it offers consistency. Other industries will see boom and bust where people get made redundant only to be in and out of jobs. While farming is far from easy, it can offer security. The pandemic was testimony to that as we kept working through it.
Often regarded as traditional and boring, agriculture is nothing of the sort. Innovation is at the heart of farming. It’s forever pushing on and advancing. In some respects, agriculture has embraced technology faster than other sectors. We had autosteer in tractors before sat nav became common place. The evolution of horses to tractors – that’s a hell of a jump! The agri-tech becoming common in the sector is incredible. Farming is a ‘tech industry’ yet is not treated like one by career guidance. We’re depriving young people of unique and richly rewarding opportunities if we don’t introduce them to possibilities available within agricultural.
The perception might be it’s a ‘dull industry’ yet I get to discuss different ideas, ask questions, experiment, solve problems and share knowledge with farmers every day. Agriculture is a stimulating and stretching environment to work within. Early starts don’t come naturally to me, but once I’m up I know I wouldn’t swap it for another sector only to be faced with boredom and monotony. I’ve a friend who started off with an agricultural machinery manufacturer who has ended-up in the aerospace, but he says he still misses agriculture! I know that feeling, it’s like a bug that gets into you!
You often hear people say that they want a sense of fulfilment from their work. I consider myself lucky to work within an industry so satisfying. For those wanting a rewarding career then let’s turn their heads in the direction of farming.
Farming, food, the whole job is a necessity – you can’t live without it. When it all comes down to it if you don’t have food then it’s game over. It’s essential to our survival. When all is said and done agriculture may well be the most important industry on the planet. Career Advisors take note.
