Coming off the heels of the Idaho FFA State Convention, it’s hard not to feel optimistic about the future of agriculture. Spend just a few hours around those students in blue corduroy jackets and you’ll quickly realize something important: the next generation of our industry isn’t lacking passion, work ethic or vision. What they need is opportunity and engagement from the rest of us.
We talk often about the challenges facing agriculture: tight margins, volatile markets, public perception and labor shortages. These are real, pressing issues. But if we’re honest, none of them matter more long-term than leadership development. Because ultimately, the future of this industry will be shaped by the young men and women willing to step forward, raise their hand and lead.
That’s exactly what organizations like the National FFA Organization are designed to cultivate.
FFA isn’t just about judging teams or raising livestock projects, though those experiences are foundational. It’s about building confident communicators, critical thinkers and young professionals who can operate in a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape. Whether it’s a prepared public speaking contest, a leadership workshop or a career development event, these students are learning skills that extend far beyond the show ring or the classroom.
And here’s the reality: those skills are exactly what our industry needs.
As someone who’s spent a lifetime in the livestock business, I’ve come to believe that success has less to do with what you raise and more to do with how you relate. This is a people business. Always has been. Always will be. The cattle may pay the bills, but it’s relationships that build them.
That’s what FFA is producing.
But development doesn’t happen in a vacuum. These young people need more than open doors; they need exposure, mentorship and real pathways into the industry. That’s where we, as agricultural professionals, come in.
It’s easy to say, “kids are the future.” It’s harder—but far more impactful—to invest in them.
That investment can take many forms. It might look like attending a local FFA banquet, offering internships, judging a contest or simply taking time to visit with a student about their goals. It might mean opening the gate to your operation, your business or your network. For companies and organizations, it should mean intentionally creating on-ramps for young talent—structured programs that don’t just recruit, but develop.
Because here’s the truth: if we don’t actively engage this next generation, someone else will.
Agriculture today competes for talent in a way it never has before. Bright, driven young people have options—across industries, across geographies, across career paths. If we want them to choose agriculture, we need to show them not only that there is a place for them, but that there is a future worth building.
Events like the Idaho State FFA Convention are a powerful reminder that the interest is there. The talent is there. The question is whether we, as an industry, are ready to meet it.
There’s also something else worth noting: these students are not waiting their turn. They’re already leading.
They’re advocating for agriculture in their communities. They’re learning how to tell our story to consumers who are increasingly disconnected from production. They’re bringing fresh ideas, new perspectives, and a level of energy that our industry should embrace—not resist.
Too often, agriculture falls into the trap of “this is how we’ve always done it.” Tradition matters. It’s part of what makes this industry so strong. But progress depends on our willingness to blend that tradition with new thinking. That’s exactly what young agriculturists bring to the table.
If we want to stay relevant, competitive and unified as an industry, we need to create space for those voices.
The blue jacket has long been a symbol of leadership, growth and opportunity. But it’s also a challenge—to those wearing it, and to those of us who came before them.
To the students, it’s a call to step up, get uncomfortable, and lead.
To the rest of us, it’s time to do the same.
Support your local FFA chapter. Show up to the banquet. Attend a county fair. Sponsor the trip. Shake the hand of an ag teacher and ask what they need—not next year, but right now. As producers, businesses, families and industry partners, we have a responsibility to not only encourage these programs, but to invest in them and in the educators who make them possible.
Because strong agricultural programs don’t happen by accident. They happen when communities decide they matter. — JARED PATTERSON
