South Plains College to host Agriculture Career Symposium on Oct. 15

 

LEVELLAND – South Plains College’s Agriculture Department will host the Agriculture Career Symposium from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday (Oct. 15) in the Texan Dome. 

High school students from the Panhandle to San Angelo will be given the opportunity to talk with agriculture professionals regarding diverse career options in agriculture. 

According to Dave Cleavinger, professor of Agriculture at SPC, the goal of the event is to try to expose the high school students to the vast opportunities within the agriculture industry. 

“When a high school student from outside of a farming family hears ‘Agriculture,’ he or she often discount themselves as a potential candidate for a career in this field,” Cleavinger said.  “Even students from within our industry are not sure where they fit in. Students who excel in math, science and chemistry are needed in Agriculture. Nontraditional students are needed in Agriculture as well as the student who considers himself a natural fit.” 

The symposium will feature 40 professional vendors representing all areas of the Texas Tech University College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources.  

Following the welcome by South Plains College President Robin Satterwhite, nationally recognized author and motivational speaker Matt Rush will present the keynote address. Rush grew up in New Mexico. He is the former CEO of the New Mexico Farm Bureau and the past president of Ethos Leadership Group. He also has served on the American Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agriculture Board of Directors. 

“Our industry is very diverse and includes opportunities in Economics, Engineering, Communications, Education, Animal Science, Food Science and Agronomy,” Cleavinger said. “The diversity within each of these areas has countless opportunities. In addition, many jobs are coming available due to an aging workforce and we need graduates to keep pace.  

The Levelland Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee will present two $500 scholarships during the program. According to Mary Siders, president of the Levelland Chamber, “The symposium will be an excellent opportunity to introduce students to the career options in the ag industry. We anticipate a shortage of agriculture professionals and this is a great way to address it early.” 

Participating students will spend time visiting with professionals in their areas of interest. They will talk to as many professionals as time allows. The professionals will talk to the students about their career choice and the educational path they pursued to get to where they are now. 

For more information on the Agriculture Career Symposium, contact Cleavinger at (806) 716-2324 or Ron Presley, professor of Agriculture, at (806) 716-2328 or Conner Newsom, Livestock Judging Coach, at (806) 716-2312.