Ag Industry Career Trends & Outlook

Agribusiness is a large part of our economy

• About 17% of the jobs nationally
• Almost 25% of the jobs in Minnesota
• About 50% of the jobs in outstate Minnesota

Click here for current industry trends!

Employment Market Strong for Agriculture and Natural Resource Graduates

• About 58,000 jobs annually
• Only about 39,000 Ag graduates nationwide including advanced degrees
• Big Shortage = Big Opportunities

Managers and Financial Specialists - 13%

• About 7300 jobs per year
• 35% filled by ag grads
• Still project an annual shortage of over 1650 positions even after allied schools are searched

Hot areas:

• Computer information systems
• Food processing and distribution
• Landscape businesses
• Outdoor recreation businesses
• Personnel Managers

Marketing, Merchandising and Sales – 28%

• 15,950 jobs per year
• 53% fill by ag grads
• Projected annual shortfall of about 1,300 jobs

Hot areas:

• Salesperson
• Food and forest product distribution
• Landscape, horticulture and lawn care
• Technical service/ problem solvers
• Marketing and sales consultants
• Commodity brokers
• International market representatives

Ag Production - 7%

• About 4,235 jobs per year
• 76% filled by Ag Grads
• Fewer farms, but more on-farm jobs

Hot areas:

• Farm managers for larger farms
• Intensive livestock production
• Fruit and vegetable production
• Ornamental horticulture and turf grass management

Great Opportunities

• Graduates who add value to the raw materials produced on our farms and forests and market those products to domestic and international consumers will be in greatest demand

The Future is Yours

• Rural background and experience has market value!
• Agribusiness would like to hire you if you get the education that meets the needs of the Industry and Society.

Crookston lies in the fertile Red River Valley of the North, one of the world's most productive agricultural areas. With its rich agricultural history, Crookston--and UMC in turn--provides an ideal setting for students to develop their skills as professionals in the agriculture industry.

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