Extension introduces youths to career opportunities in agriculture and STEM

Summary, Youth, Family, and Communities 2026, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Extension, Food Systems, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Indiana, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State University, North Central, Northeast, Purdue University, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, University of Maryland, Workforce Development and Readiness, Youth Development/4-H

The United States is facing a dearth of skilled and educated workers across the agricultural industry. With many young people being several generations removed from agriculture within their families, and removed from where their food comes from, introducing youths to the variety of careers in agriculture and food systems and teaching related skills can build a new generation of agriculture and STEM professionals. Extension systems are uniquely positioned to connect youths to eye-opening opportunities for their futures.

Here are a few examples of that work:

Michigan Extension professionals offered a two-day pre-college camp program for youths ages 13-17 to learn about career pathways and academic expectations for the animal and veterinary sciences field, with 88% of participants reporting they felt better prepared for their futures and 90% stating they now have a “Plan B” career path.
Michigan State University Extension. Supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) capacity funds; state appropriations. See full statement.

In Louisiana, where the meat industry provides an economic impact of over $11 billion, Extension partnered with the Louisiana Beef Industry Council to create programs to raise awareness in youths around the state’s beef industry. Youths attended workshops and camps where they learned how to safely prepare and grill meat, took informative tours and participated in a statewide poster contest.
LSU Ag Center. Supported by non-profit grants and contracts; Smith-Lever (3b&c) capacity funds. See full statement.

Extension leaders in Maryland created an agriculture career literacy program to introduce youths to careers in animal science, environmental science, agribusiness and leadership and agriculture science and technology. The curriculum includes career planning, resume development, internship acquisition, interviewing skills and business etiquette. One hundred percent of participants reported they wanted to know more about agriculture-related career opportunities and understand how science is involved in agriculture.
University of Maryland Extension. Supported by USDA competitive funds; state appropriations. See full statement.

South Dakota Extension professionals are engaging youths of all backgrounds in agriculture education with the Adopt-a-Cow: Beef program, an interactive approach that teaches students how beef is raised, how food moves from farms to markets and the critical role of agriculture in rural and urban communities.
SDSU Extension. Supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) capacity funds. See full statement.

Youths in Indiana had multiple opportunities to explore agriculture and STEM careers through Extension camps, afterschool programs, workshops, classrooms and more. Many participants reported an interest in learning about science and engineering, as well as future jobs involving STEM.
Purdue Extension. Supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) capacity funds. See full statement.

Texas has 7 of the 15 fastest growing cities in the nation, creating a need for facilitating collaborative relationships between rural and urban youths. Extension leaders created a program to pair urban and rural youths to cultivate relationships and work together to solve problems like land fragmentation, food insecurity and water use while mutually learning about Texas agriculture and urban cultures.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. See full statement.

Photo courtesy of Jasmine Shaw/UAF.