by David Topel
Dean, College of Agriculture at Iowa State University
What will tomorrow's leaders in agriculture be like? National Agriculture Week, March 15-21, is a good time to consider the qualities these young people will possess.
Tomorrow's agricultural leaders will be technologically savvy. Agriculture is rapidly becoming a high-tech industry. Advances in computers, precision production equipment and biotechnology are made almost every day. Iowa could very well be the next Silicon Valley for high-tech, value-added agriculture, so young people need to be comfortable with technology.
Tomorrow's agricultural leaders will show remarkable initiative. We are fanning the sparks of entrepreneurship in our young people. Iowa State University has the only agricultural entrepreneurship program in the country. It's a great training opportunity for students who want to start their own businesses &emdash; businesses that hopefully will sprout and grow right here in Iowa.
Tomorrow's agricultural leaders will come from many backgrounds. Just as hybrids benefit corn production, a mix of new ideas and perspectives benefits agriculture. In April, Iowa State will host the 1998 national conference of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences. This group and other programs are fostering agricultural education and careers among underrepresented groups. Also, this year Iowa State and Pioneer Hi-Bred International will begin working with the historically black land-grant universities to strengthen internship opportunities.
Tomorrow's agricultural leaders will be environmental stewards. Even more than their parents or grandparents, today's generation is aware of the synergistic relationship between agriculture and our natural resources. Young people will work hard to ensure that the environment they leave for their children is even better than today's.
Tomorrow's agricultural leaders will be frequent fliers. Opportunities in agriculture exist worldwide. We are nearing the time when every part of agriculture will have an international dimension. Young people will need to start early learning new languages and participating in international exchanges. Immersing oneself in a different culture is a wonderful and rewarding learning experience.
These are only a few of the strengths we can expect from our young people as they prepare today for their futures tomorrow. With young talent like this, you can't help but be optimistic about the future of agriculture.
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