By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
May 16-20 tour open to college juniors and seniors
Transportation, meals, lodging provided at no charge to participants
Register by May 2 at www.uaex.uada.edu/agleaders
LITTLE ROCK — College students who are studying agriculture have many potential career paths into the state’s largest industry. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture hopes to spotlight some of the agriculture industry’s resources and job opportunities during a five-day tour for college juniors and seniors.
The tour runs May 16-20 and is open to 25 students currently enrolled in colleges of agriculture or agriculture-related studies. Transportation, meals and lodging will be provided at no charge to participants. The deadline to register is May 2 at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/agleaders.
Agriculture is Arkansas’ number one employer, and training and recruiting future leaders is crucial to both the industry and the state’s economy. The tour, offered through the Cooperative Extension Service, is one of the ways the Division supports educational outreach as part of the nation’s historic land grant education system.
On the tour, students will visit industries throughout the state to learn about career opportunities in various markets, including crops, livestock and agribusiness. Some of the stops include visits to poultry and swine companies, Anheuser-Busch, Farm Bureau, Greenway Equipment, electric cooperatives, farmers and others.
“The one-week experience is designed to enhance students’ leadership and employability skills and to help them learn more about the vast resources, services and careers available within the state’s agriculture industry,” Julie Robinson, associate professor in the division’s Community, Professional and Economic Development, said. “The students will get a bird’s eye view of employment opportunities, and they will network with industry leaders and potential employers.”
The tour begins at 9 a.m. May 16 at the C.A. Vines 4-H Center in Little Rock. For more information, call or text Robinson at 501-733-3101 or email [email protected]
The Division of Agriculture and industry partners, including the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Board and Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, provide funding for this outreach.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.