Opinion: America is overlooking a talent pipeline with 1 million members and hundreds of careers

America, the land of opportunity, is at a crossroads when it comes to filling open jobs. While many employers across the country from all different industries and sectors report challenges in filling open roles, young Americans are having a hard time finding jobs to match their skill set, according to the American Society of Employers.

In this economic paradox reported by Congress.gov, many entry-level roles still require a few years of experience, while many eager, young workers are stumped about how to gain the 2-3 years of experience needed as they step into the workplace.

What many businesses, organizations and industries can overlook is a talent pipeline in America: agricultural education and the National FFA Organization. Once known as Future Farmers of America, FFA has grown and evolved into simply FFA to showcase the student leadership organization preparing the next generation of workers who will feed, clothe, fuel and sustain our world. 

FFA is now the top school-based youth leadership development organization in the country, with more than 1 million student members through more than 9,000 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The next generation of workers to fill necessary roles in a variety of industries isn’t just sitting in a classroom learning from textbooks; they are agricultural education students and FFA members getting hands-on, career-readiness training while still in middle and high school.

FFA transforms students' lives as an integral component of school-based agricultural education which is rooted in a unique combination of classroom curriculum, experiential work-based learning, and leadership development. More than 14,000 FFA advisors and agriculture teachers deliver an integrated model of learning, providing students with innovative, leading-edge education that enables them to grow into competent leaders.

Today, FFA is preparing student members for more than 350 agriculture and agriculture adjacent careers. FFA prepares members for an expanding set of careers from the farm gate as members become skilled in a variety of tasks and prepare for future careers as farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, food scientists, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many other career fields.

FFA members break down that barrier to entry-level positions as they learn and practice these necessary skills for several years before even graduating high school. One way members are gaining real-world experience and skills is through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), which are student-led, instructor-supervised work-based learning experiences. 

In Tennessee, Chuckey-Doak FFA member Dakine Thompson has already logged more than 300 hours on his SAE and is only 15 years old. Thompson completes personalized risk assessment plans, creates individualized emergency contact lists and farm evacuation plans as well as fire mitigation checklists. He also partners with companies that make innovative, agriculture-related fire suppression equipment. Thompson is gaining real-world skills for a career through FFA long before he enters the workforce, and even before he is old enough to drive.

In Oklahoma, Kate Myers of the Lomega FFA Chapter founded the nonprofit Beef for the Bank, which collects donations of ground beef for programs that address food insecurity. Myers solicited donations, created social media content and designed a website, all of which contributed to the success of the project through a total of 1,450 pounds of donated ground beef. Through FFA, Myers is running a successful, nonprofit organization before she even receives her high school diploma. 

In Arkansas, Cookies by Mari started as a passion for baking that grew into a small business, serving the Springdale, Arkansas community with delicious baked goods. After receiving a grant through FFA, Marianna Ruiz, Cookies by Mari founder, is expanding her business with advertising, and plans to serve more than 100 customers a week - running a successful bakery before she even steps foot on a college campus. 

With more than 1 million members across the country and new chapters forming each year, the missing piece of the job market puzzle is employers' awareness of this organization's almost 100 years of developing student leaders. 

It’s time for executives in industries outside of traditional agriculture to recognize the diverse, rich talent pipeline of FFA members spanning the country.  

Just as farmers know the right time to harvest a crop by recognizing when it has reached its full potential, employers should see the talent pool of FFA members sitting right in front of them to support their growing business or organization.

Scott Stump is CEO of the National FFA Organization.