A 16-year-old Indian Creek High School student hopes to one day take over running his family’s farm.
But before that day comes, Jarett Hensley knows he has a lot to learn, including a big focus on the business side of farming, which is one of the most important parts of agriculture now, he said.
“I grew up around it. It’s really all I know,” he said. “You have to be a hard worker and learn to not cut any corners.”
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Agriculture is more than farming, said Heather Dougherty, Johnson County Fair Board member and 4-H educator.
Purdue University’s College of Agriculture offers more than 30 majors, with careers in business, education, communication, economics, engineering, animal science and more, she said.
“It’s just a huge industry,” Dougherty said.
And with ever-changing technology, agriculture today is becoming more technology-based, Dougherty said.
“The field has become more computer savvy to be able to keep up with the tech world,” she said.
For the last three years, an Agriculture Career Round Table has been a part of the Johnson County fair, where industry leaders get together to talk about expectations in the field and the options students have for a career in agriculture. The goal is to help students who are interested in agriculture find a career path.
While not every 4-H’er is planning a career in agriculture, several are. And they said their experience in 4-H and other groups, such as FFA, has helped them prepare for their future careers as well.
Levi Spurgeon, a 10-year 4-H’er and Indian Creek High School graduate, was involved as an FFA officer in high school.
“In FFA, we get exposed to different career paths in the agricultural industry, like with soil and plants,” Spurgeon said. “Also, in 4-H we get to show animals and show our skills through different projects.”
Spurgeon wants to work in the agricultural education field.
“Agriculture feeds the world, and it’s a very inspiring path to follow,” Spurgeon said.
Caleb Reed, a 16-year-old student at Franklin Community High School, wants to make a career in agriculture as an advocate for the business.
“There’s a lot of things and rumors that are said about agriculture as far as mistreatment of animals and drugs,” Reed said. “Being able to advocate for agriculture is very important.”
One part of the agriculture field that is attractive is the range of topics that you can study, Reed said.
“You can’t just find one major,” he said. “You have to go through engineering and vet science and food science because those are things that play a big role.”
By working to take care of their animals each day and making new friends and connections, 4-H’ers are gaining skills and responsibility needed for a career in agriculture, Dougherty said.
“4-H has prepared me more than anything, really,” Hensley said. “It’s taught me to be a harder worker.”
But Dougherty has also met a lot of 4-H’ers who don’t want to go into an agricultural career.
“My advice to any kid in 4-H, not just someone going into agriculture, find something you like to do and something you’re passionate about,” Dougherty said.
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Today
9 a.m.: Mini 4-H Swine Show.
10 a.m.: Mini 4-H Sheep Show.
Read, Touch, Taste for children ages 4-7, Heritage Hall.
11:30 a.m.: 4-H and Open Class exhibits open.
1 p.m.: 4-H Horse and Pony Fun Show, Horse Arena.
3 p.m.: Ag Career Round Table
4 to 6 p.m.: Robotics Club demonstration.
4 p.m.: Master Showmanship Contest, Indoor Arena.
Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show, east of Fitzpatrick Hall.
5 to 8 p.m.: Cooking demonstrations, Farm Bureau Building.
5 p.m.: Midway opens.
5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Free stage: Cali Weddle.
6 to 11 p.m.: Poor Jack Moonlight Madness on the Midway, $22 unlimited ride bracelet.
6 p.m.: Horse and Pony Contesting Division, Horse Arena.
Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show.
6:30 to 10 p.m.: Gospel music in the Christian Music Tent, north of Scott Hall.
6:30 p.m.: Free entry for Kids Straw Scramble (ages 3-10), Farm Bureau back lot.
Celebrity Goat Milking Contest, Indoor Arena.
7 to 9 p.m.: Free stage: Barnes and Co.
7 p.m.: CPWA Wrestling, Grandstands.
Straw Scramble.
Horseshoe pitching, west of Fair Office.
Cash drawing at the Day Sponsor Booth.
8 p.m.: Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show.
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