Ag Academy | Video

Kristin Clouston | 7/10/2012

Wouldn`t it be great if you could try out a career for a couple of days before picking your college major? High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are getting a chance to do that this week.

Bismarck State College and a group of agricultural retailers have teamed up to offer a summer ag academy for high school students. The school wants students to be aware of their program, and companies say they need qualified workers.

Steve Ibach drove from Berthhold to teach kids he hopes will someday help him out in the field.

"The shortage is real. Right now our company, we employ eight people from overseas because we can`t find enough help from people in the United States."

He and other agronomists want these guys to get a feel of what it`s like to work in their industry.

"We go out into the field and look at the problems in the field. Just taking the general crop of the crop, seeing if there`s any pests. Just looking to see if the crop needs an application to be made."

He explained the ag industry isn`t just for those who`ve grown up on farms. A person just needs to have the desire to learn.

Students say they appreciate the chance to learn about the industry.

"We raise a bunch of crops for our cattle, so it`s always good to have a background in what you need to do to raise a good crop," said Steven Weigel.

"They`re doing a really good job explaining it and stuff and the instructors are really good and it`s just kind of fun," added Cole Breidenbach.

If the students decide to come to BSC, they can earn an associates degree in agronomy, intern and be on the road to a new career in about two years.

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