As Iowa Farmers and operators hire workers for the summer, a nonprofit connects them with aspiring ‘ag’ professionals who could represent the industry’s future labor force. For nearly a decade, the group Practical Farmers of Iowa has carried out its Labor-4-Learning initiative, where participating farms provide on-site training for anyone looking to break into the field. The group’s Celize Christy says the program is an opportunity to attract would-be farmers who want to learn environmentally sound practices from their mentors.

Supporters of these initiatives say people hired for farm labor don’t always get this specialized training, leaving them at a disadvantage for starting their own operations. Other advocates say the industry needs to embrace more technology to attract younger generations to farming. The organization vets each participating farm before being certified as trainers.