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MIFFLINTOWN -- Agriculture certainly plays a significant role in Juniata County's economy. Like other industries, such as manufacturing, health care and the trades, agribusinesses are facing the same workforce shortages that are leaving many farms and other agriculture-related businesses strapped thin to perform their daily work.
It's never too early to educate future generations about the agriculture industry.
That's why the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce's Business and Education Committee and the Juniata County Conservation District are holding Ag Exploration Day, an agricultural career awareness event for all fourth-grade students in Juniata County.
Ten presenters, ranging from bee keeping to tractors and farm safety to butchering will be speaking from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13 at Reinford Farms, 505 Cedar Grove Road, Mifflintown.
"The goal of the event is to create more exposure and awareness of career pathways in agriculture," said Jacob Conklin, business services consultant for the Juniata/Perry County PA CareerLink. "There are career opportunities in agriculture from apprenticeships to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)."
One of the main goals of the Ag Exploration Day is to start creating awareness at an early age pertaining to ag-related career opportunities.
Teaming with the various organizations and employers that will be promoting careers, the Juniata County School District will reinforce career awareness with the students via assignments and discussions. Additionally, the event helps the school district meet Department of Education Act 339 activities.
The Juniata County Business and Education Committee, a subcommittee of the Juniata River Valley Chamber's Business and Education Committee, is a collection of local business representatives and school district staff that work together to create opportunities to connect students with employers or businesses.
The goal of the committee is to expose students to the job opportunities and skills needed to pursue a career in agriculture, Conklin explained. The Business and Education Committee recently held a Career Day for both East Juniata and Juniata high school students, as well as teacher in the workplace, employer presentations and helped with mock interviews for 11th graders.
"Special thanks to Reinford Farms for hosting the event as well as all of the employers and organizations that have volunteered their time to support the event," Conklin added.
For more information, call (815) 994-0312 or email jacob.conklin@equusworks.com.