Ag Teachers In Short Supply In Louisiana

There was a time when agriculture was the industry of the south. Over time and with technology more people have left that field in pursuit of more lucrative and less speculative ventures. The truth of the matter is this, making a living in agriculture is hard work. It is also passionate work. Fewer and fewer people are being filled with that passion from the family farm and now in school.

Right now the State of Louisiana is facing a shortage in the agriculture industry. That shortfall is not seed, crop land, or even chemicals and equipment. That shortfall is teachers. According to the LSU Ag Center there are about 230 agriculture teachers in Louisiana's 185 schools that offer the curriculum. That is not enough according to Mike Burnett executive associate dean with the College of Agriculture at LSU.

Burnett told the Louisiana Radio Network why there has been a steady decline of Ag teachers in Louisiana.

"But unfortunately they can go across the state line and make a lot more money,really we need to pay our teachers better."

Burnett says neighboring states are offering better paying positions than Louisiana schools are able to offer.

The short term fix is to persuade and encourage Ag students at the college level to consider a career in teaching in addition to their other field of specialization.  It's hoped that this will ease the oncoming shortage of educators and keep Louisiana's agriculture future bright.