Agriculture

Agricultural production and processing in Minnesota plays a huge role in the state’s economy. According to Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s data, Minnesota ranks seventh in the nation in agricultural production at $21.3 billion. The state’s agriculture industry exports $9.3 billion worth of goods each year. Minnesota also ranks in the top five for multiple agriculture categories such as first in turkeys raised, second in hogs, first in sugar beets, oats, wild rice and red kidney beans.

Given agriculture’s importance to our state, the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline works with agriculture producers to determine their workforce needs and create tools to address those needs as seen below in the list of in-demand occupations in the industry that are well-suited to create dual-training opportunities.

Validated occupational competency summaries

• Agriculture applicator technician

• Agriculture equipment mechanic

• Agriculture finance/lender

• Agronomist

• Crop farm manager

• Farm animal manager

• Grain merchandiser

• Horticulture farm manager

• Livestock veterinarian

• Meat cutter/meat processor

• Quality assurance/food safety supervisor

• Swine technician (grow finish)

• Swine technician (sow farm)

The approach to developing competency standards is found in Minnesota law. The information that informs the development of competency standards comes from a variety of sources that include but are not limited to:  Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; Minnesota laws and rules; Minnesota state agencies and licensing boards; O-NET Online; Competency Model Clearinghouse from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration; state, national and international trade associations and advocacy organizations; job postings and job descriptions; higher education resources; and input from attendees of industry forums, competency council meetings, public events and meetings conducted by DLI staff members.

Questions?

Contact us at PIPELINE.Program@state.mn.us.