Workforce
Seventy-five years ago, the green revolution in agriculture heralded significant advancements in science. Novel, high-yielding crop varieties were developed, fertilizer use increased, and pesticides targeted destructive insects. This meant farmers were able to increase their efficiency, produce more food per acre, and feed a growing world population.
Today:
Agriculture is poised for another revolution. Advancements include precision agriculture, robotics, and artificial intelligence. With an eye on the future, sustainable practices focus on the wise use of natural resources. The goal to maximize crop yields and addressing long-range climate concerns.
The future of agriculture requires a workforce with a variety of professional, technical and business skills. Our agriculturalists and farmers will require skills to program equipment in the field, manage data and business interests, and market crops, commodities, and overhead costs.
Local Partnerships:
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus County Extension office is partnering with the Agricultural Alliance of Citrus County and the Citrus County School District to present “Expanding Agriculture: Workforce”. An interactive program offering young leaders the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of careers and explore the steps to a future in agriculture, in either a technical or college-based program. A key component is the support from Dr. Scott Hebert, School Superintendent, and Darrick Buettner, Director of Community Relations and Initiatives, ensuring high school students can experience the breadth of opportunities in agriculture. This one-day seminar will be hosted by the College of Central Florida (CF) at the Wilton Simpson Conference Center in Lecanto.
Where:
The campus provides ample space for both classroom centered and field-based activities. The renewed focus is for all aspects of agriculture to be represented, laboratory investigations, research trials, robotic technology, equipment operated by artificial intelligence, mechanics and machinery, regenerative agriculture, and so much more.
The Keynote Speaker will be Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson. He will share his passion for Florida, agriculture, and the future workforce opportunities for youth leaders.
When:
Friday, September 12, 2025
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Wilton Simpson Conference Center
College of Central Florida
Lecanto, FL 34461
Registration for this event will open in early August and we expect to reach our maximum capacity, so register early and contact the 4-H Office for any questions. Miss Marnie, 4-H Agent, is your source for additional information and she can be reached at mlward@ufl.edu or 352-527-5712.
Why encourage students to come to attend?
The focus is on the future and the opportunities to explore, investigate and ask questions about careers in agriculture. The future requires skilled workers with a passion for agriculture, an appreciation for the environment, and a commitment to producing food, fiber, and renewable fuel locally, nationally, and around the globe.
This program is open to ALL High School age students; there is no requirement to be a member of a 4-H or FFA program. The diverse career fields in agriculture offer opportunities for tradespeople, farmers, agronomists, engineers, researchers, and so much more. Come, ask questions, and learn what agriculture has to offer.
UF/IFAS Citrus County Extension offers a wide range of educational programming to meet the needs in our community. Visit the Extension office at 3650 West Sovereign Path, Lecanto or reach out to the Extension agents by phone at 352-527-5722 or citrus@ifas.ufl.edu. We offer programming in horticulture, agriculture, natural resources, families and consumer sciences, and 4-H volunteer and youth development. An Equal Opportunity Institution.
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