A few college degrees that fall under the agricultural umbrella recently made the list of twenty most useless college degrees in The Daily Beast. Kay Johnson Smith – Animal Agriculture Alliance Executive Vice President – says the article is laughable to those who understand the importance of agriculture – but she fears it could deter potential farmers, botanists or animal scientists from the field. Smith says the article is a reminder of why everyone must do their part to help bridge the urban-rural gap.

Young people from all walks of life need to be encouraged to pursue a career in the ag industry – Smith says – noting the aging farming population. She emphasizes that the industry isn’t just a college major or career – but a way of life impacting millions of people around the globe every time they sit down to eat. She says food production is a key to the nation’s security – and the world’s – since the UN estimates food production will need to increase by 70-percent throughout the next 40 years. Smith says telling the story of America’s farmers and ranchers – how they are contributing to solving the global food supply challenge – is very important.