Many people in the general population don’t understand agricultural production, the Oklahoma secretary of agriculture told agriculture students Sept. 7 at NWOSU.
Blayne Arthur, the first woman to hold the secretary of agriculture position in Oklahoma, met with students in Herod Hall Auditorium during her visit to campus.
She said she discovered how little people know about agriculture during the pandemic when she and her office staff were able to talk to consumers about how the agriculture supply chain works. A major effort should be made to educate consumers about how their food is produced and delivered to the market, she said.
People often don’t like the idea of some aspects of animal production such as large cattle feedlots and cages used in poultry production, she pointed out. When food became less available during the pandemic, she said she had to explain to people who didn’t understand how products go from farm to table just what it takes to make that happen.
Arthur also offered encouragement to students to continue pursuing and developing various interests besides just studying because it can help them get jobs when they graduate. She also said students need to develop personal networks to seek internships in multiple areas of interest and to explore occupations within the industry they might want to pursue in the future.
She offered resume advice, telling students to show a wide-ranging background in agricultural pursuits when they craft the piece. Each resume should be tailored toward the position sought and address the student’s suitability for that job.
Also, Arthur urged students to make sure possible references will provide positive information before listing them on the resume.
She suggested practicing interviewing skills before meeting with prospective employers so they can hone their grammar skills, which are often key in successful interviews.
Arthur also encouraged students to take the initiative with their education at NWOSU, where professors, staff and administrators want to help them be successful, and recognize their responsibilities in making their educational and occupational pursuits a good experience.
“Blayne has been personally involved with production agriculture throughout her entire life, which makes her uniquely talented in her role as Secretary of Agriculture,” said Dr. Dean Scarbrough, Northwestern’s agriculture department chair and professor of agriculture. “She has an inherent understanding of the complexities associated with the food supply chain and truly appreciates the struggles Oklahoma farmers and ranchers face every day.
“It is clear that she cares deeply about the state of Oklahoma and the young people who will make up the next generation of agriculturalists.”
—Information provided by NWOSU University Relations
