Sewing Seeds of Opportunity: Cultivating Careers in Ag
Over the past several months, the Green Jean Team has had the incredible privilege of connecting with hundreds of students at career exploration events and job fairs. These conversations have reinforced what we already know to be true: young people are essential to the future of our food system. After all, we all depend on agriculture because we all need to eat!
Agriculture is more than planting seeds and harvesting crops—it’s a powerful, real-world classroom. Want to learn math? Calculate egg production or yield per acre. Tackle advanced equations involving livestock weight, feed ratios, and profit margins. Language arts? Practice communication through marketing, business plans, or negotiating with suppliers. Science? Dive into the biology, chemistry, and physics behind everything from composting to converting crops into biofuels.
While farmers are vital, agriculture also depends on a diverse range of professionals: agronomists, drone pilots, environmental scientists, mechanics, welders, economists, food scientists, and more. With the average U.S. farmer now over 58 years old, there’s an urgent need to raise awareness among young people about the wide array of rewarding, in-demand careers that agriculture has to offer.
The industry is rapidly evolving by adopting cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, and forward-thinking business models. These changes are creating exciting new career paths for those interested in food systems, environmental health, innovation, and technology. Today’s agriculture is a dynamic and expanding field, offering a wide range of career paths, both on and off the farm. The Green Jean Foundation feels truly blessed to connect with students and spark their curiosity about where their food comes from, while encouraging them to consider how they might play a role—directly or indirectly—in shaping the future of agriculture.
Growing Change: The Modern Farming Podcast Explores Connections Between Agriculture and Health
If you’ve ever wondered what’s really in your food—or what’s missing—Modern Farming is the podcast you need in your rotation. More than just a conversation about crops and cattle, this series takes you behind the scenes in agriculture, where farmers, scientists, and innovators are reshaping how we grow our food and how that food shapes us in return.
In a world where chronic illness and food insecurity are on the rise, Modern Farming introduces you to the people who believe food is more than fuel. Take Erin Martin of FreshRx Oklahoma, featured in the final episode of the You Are What You Eat series. Erin’s work shows how access to nutrient-dense produce can reverse health conditions like diabetes in as little as 30 days. Her program is a testament to the life-changing power of connecting the right food with the right people at the right time.
From there, the podcast digs deep—literally and figuratively. Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, a leading agroecologist, shares data from the 1000 Farms Initiative, proving how regenerative practices improve biodiversity, soil health, and even profitability. Will Harris of White Oak Pastures adds a personal layer, detailing how transforming his industrial farm into a regenerative powerhouse revitalized both the land and his rural Georgia town.
Each episode of Modern Farming reveals a compelling truth: healthy soil grows healthy food, and healthy food grows healthy people. If you’re passionate about better health, more sustainable food systems, or just curious about where your food really comes from—this podcast is a must-listen!
Haiku Entries Wanted! Last Week to Enter ~ Deadline April 15!
Email entries to info@greenjeanfoundation.org or use the on-line entry form. Any student from K-12 may enter!
