Scholarship Essay Entry – Ben F.

There are many challenges the agriculture and agri-food industries are going to face over the next decade. With the droughts, BSE, and feed shortages the optimism in both industries has declined. We need to regain the confidence that producers once had and keep the country drive alive. We can accomplish this through maintaining youth organizations and making them more beneficial for young farmers.
     
It has become a norm when talking to producers in the agriculture industry that it will not be positive and is more depressing than anything. This norm needs to be broken. There needs to be positive light shed back onto the industry and change people’s minds that there is a bright future in agriculture. Yes I do agree that there are challenging periods on the farm but turning our backs on agriculture is not an option. There have been honest livings being made in the industry for generations and there will be for many to come as well.
 
I plan on continuing my involvement in youth organizations to encourage the next generation of rural youth to keep their ties with the rural lifestyle. Such programs as 4-H, breed organizations and other youth organizations are building spirit back into the agriculture and agri-food. 4-H builds past the agriculture skills and develops life skills that are important for anyone to have. Public speaking is extremely important for everyone to learn and practice. I will continue supporting our Canadian Charolais Youth Associations as we have many programs that are supporting the youth and promoting agriculture. One of these programs is our genetics program that I am in charge of this year. The program encourages youth to take an active role in planning their breeding program and allows members to use genetics that would ordinarily be inaccessible. It is a great way to promote Charolais genetics and is an extra bonus for young breeders. All of these youth organizations create a network of young individuals that can rely on each other. It is hard to make it in the world anymore without have resources that you can count on. Although they are competing against one another in the industry they have to collaborate together to ensure that the industry as a whole will survive and thrive.
 
My education will allow me to bring the economic aspect into these youth organizations. Economics is the bottom line and is essential for all youth to become aware of. Calculating break even points instead of staying at status quo and assuming that is the most efficient way to operate.
 
Rebuilding optimism around the agriculture and agri-food industries will be a challenge moving forward. However we can overcome come this road block with continued support of our youth organizations. We need to use these organizations to stimulate enthusiasm back into the industries. We need to encourage youth to remain active and maintain their rural ties. Agriculture has been here for decades and it will be here to stay for many more.