Gov. Rick Snyder: Agriculture future is bright but we must work to attract best and brightest

While the future looks bright for agriculture in Michigan, one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is attracting the best and the brightest of the next generation.

While the future looks bright for agriculture in Michigan, one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is attracting the best and the brightest of the next generation.

It’s a challenge that Gov. Rick Snyder embraces.

“We need to make sure we have the right inflow of talent,” Snyder said during breakfast at Michigan Ag Expo, the state’s biggest outdoor farm show.

It’s also a challenge at the forefront of the minds of many of the leaders in Michigan’s ag industry, which identified the difficulty finding high-demand, high-skilled workers as one of its biggest challenge in the new Michigan Ag and Food Index (MAFI).

The results of the index, which was released  at the Ag Expo breakfast, gauges the business climate for the state’s agriculture and food businesses based on a survey of 100 leaders in the industry. Food and agricultural leaders give their current business condition a rating of 147. A rating of 100 is considered neutral.

“We need to get the general public to understand what an exciting career agriculture can be,” Snyder said. “We need people to understand that it’s one of the most high-tech industries in the world.”

The governor challenged the crowd to take that 147 rating and drive it higher, and to turn the $91.4 billion impact of the agricultural system in Michigan and raise it to $100 billion.

That could be achieved by focusing on three priorities, Snyder said: Research and development, value-added processing and exporting.

“We’re a place that makes things. Made in Michigan needs to mean something special,” Snyder said. “We already feed our state well (now) let’s feed the rest of the world.”

Shortly after the governor spoke, the kickoff of the statewide series “What’s Now? What’s Next?” was held at Ag Expo. “What’s Now? What’s Next?” connects leaders within MSU with communities around the state to get input from residents on the future of agriculture and natural resources at Michigan State University.

More than 100 people attend the first town hall-style event, which runs through December throughout the state. Speakers include: Fred Poston, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at MSU; Doug Buhler, director of MSU AgBioResearch, Tom Coon, director of MSU Extension; and Kelley Millenbah, associate dean academic and student affairs for the CANR.

Read more about What’s Now? What’s Next?, including future dates.

About the Michigan Ag and Food Index

The Michigan State University Product Center conducted the survey in April 2013 and took into account the opinions of a newly convened Food and Ag Leaders Roundtable—more than 100 movers and shakers, representing all facets of Michigan agriculture and food processing, including farmers, ag and food processors, and other industry professionals.

The MAFI scores three additional categories for the food and ag system in Michigan. The sales outlook rated an index of 133; the job outlook rated 132. Investment opportunities came in slightly lower, with an index of 122.

“This rating on the MAFI tells us that food and ag leaders are confident about Michigan’s business future and are especially confident about the future of food and agriculture in the state,” explained Chris Peterson, director of the MSU Product Center and lead investigator on the project. “This group is extraordinarily hopeful about the current and future business climate.”

Read the Michigan Food and Ag Index report

About Ag Expo

Ag Expo is Michigan’s largest outdoor farm show. Held on the Michigan State University campus, Ag Expo brings a variety of educational and commercial activities and exhibits to the state’s agricultural community or anyone else interested in learning more about agriculture.

More than 250 exhibitors are on hand at Ag Expo, which runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday. Admission to the grounds and parking at Farm Lane and Mt. Hope Road are free.

For more information about Ag Expo, call 800-366-7055 or visit www.agexpo.msu.edu

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