Austin Overton, left, looks on as Trey Davis, farm manager explains mechanical operations at the ABAC Farm. 

Agriculture continues to grow as Georgia’s No. 1 industry, with an annual economic impact of more than $74 billion and 411,500 employees. Keeping the state supplied with future employees is a tremendous task.

In 2014, Governor Nathan Deal launched the High Demand Career Initiative (HDCI) to examine ways Georgia will maintain its status as a leader in the global marketplace. The HDCI report outlined future workforce trends in various industries including agriculture and food sector. The report highlighted the need for skilled employees, such as welders, scientists, agribusiness experts, and those with four-year degrees in agricultural subjects.

Read more at South Georgia Business + Culture Magazine