Immediately following my presentation on Thursday’s Partner Program at the 2010 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference, I served as the moderator for a student panel titled, “Issues, Engagement and Impact.” The panel featured university students sharing how they have become engaged on the front lines to speak up about industry issues and the impacts of their actions.

Participating on the panel were three outstanding college students including: Greg Thon, Celeste Laurent and Bailey Albright. As moderator, I asked them several important questions pertaining to the agriculture industry today such as: What do you think are the biggest misconceptions consumers have about where their food comes from? What are the biggest challenges facing young people today?

How can we combat animal right activist activities? What goals do you have for the future? What opportunities are out there for young people in agriculture? How do you feel about the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board? What advice do you have for high school students involved in agriculture? How do we educate our state policy makers?

These three young people fielded these questions with the ease and poise of seasoned pros. All three will be looking for jobs in the agriculture industry in the near future, and I think they could be your next employees! Look them up!