ISSUE DATE: 11/21/2011
By Larry Dreiling
While new technologies abound in the latest agricultural equipment, the number of people to service that equipment and directly assist producers in how to use and maintain that equipment is scarce compared to the demand.
Job openings for skilled technicians are plentiful.
"Go into the help wanted pages of any publication, or onto any corporate website or an aggregator like agcareers.com, and you'll see hundreds of jobs requiring technical training," said Don Benjamin, dean of the Hays Campus of North Central Kansas Technical College.
The need for trained technical staff in maintenance, service and parts management, technical marketing and sales, as well as post-sales equipment owner orientation and education has never been greater.
In rural America, technical training and rural people to fill all those roles previously mentioned seem to make a good match.
NEWS
27 House members advise super committee to avoid 'secret' farm bill AFBF comments on Chesapeake Bay model Amendment to protect rural post office approved by committee Classic Thanksgiving dinner costs more in 2011 Climate education workshop set for Dec. 5 Communities seek to eradicate pigweed Expert: Proposals represent 'evolutionary change' to farm safety net Farm Bureau comments on Russia's joining of WTO Farm Bureau proposes 'systemic risk reduction' farm program Fourth graders learn about Mont. ag Huelskamp calls for farm bill title to address overregulation Iowa farmers support food pantries KFRM hosts farm broadcaster from Afghanistan MAESTRO offers incentives for trimming farm energy costs Museum launches Farmer's Walk of Fame project NCBA stays firm on farm dust October a good month for trade Plan now for year-end tax saving Public is invited to barn raising event Researchers tackle safety issues with leafy greens The ups and downs of volatility Understanding credit scores USDA announces microdevelopment loans for rural America USDA funds rural small businesses USDA streamlines farm programs Vilsack announces funding to expand production of advanced biofuels CROPS
Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show starts Nov. 29 American Soybean Association announces 2012 Young Leader class Anhydrous ammonia price rising ASA volunteers commemorate World Food Day Conference shows research on soy crop stress Cotton farmers see bright future in Kansas Cotton life cycle inventory, analysis completed Cottonseed prices nearly double as demand for feed soars Develop a crop nutrient management plan Dry soils cause anhydrous ammonia concerns Economist: Don't blame gas prices on corn, ethanol markets Employment opportunities abound in ag equipment technology Evaluating terrace, conservation maintenance practices Extension bulletin examines land trusts Extension to host Crop Management Conference Food and Agricultural Products Center receives $250K gift Free aerial photographs of property available online Headed into winter dormancy, wheat crop is in good shape Herbicide carryover possible in 2012 due to precipitation extremes Kan. corn crop even smaller than thought Kansas Rural Center names new executive director K-State to host lease workshops for ag tenants, landlords MGGA Convention, Trade Show begins Nov. 29 Mobile apps, web resources help improve weed control New crop cultivars under development NMSU, Western SARE to host sustainable ag workshop 'Plant vampires' attack winter wheat and canola Trade pacts signed Universities offer online bioenergy graduate certificate Unlocking the genetic secret of insects Updated plant genebank system available soon Waterhemp shows resistance to 2,4-D Weak markets push down South Texas onion acreage Western Sustainable Ag Crops and Livestock Conference set for Dec. 3 LIVESTOCK
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