Youth Organizations and Experiences Grow the Next Generation of Florida Agriculture
In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
For Florida youth in agriculture, career pathways in the industry branch as widely as the root systems in the fields. Meet two young people invested in agriculture from different backgrounds who share a passion for healthy food, the people who produce it and educating the public about the diversity of ag careers.
See more: Agriscience Education Leadership Program Offers Florida Educators Hands-On Experience
Rooted in Ag
As a Development Representative for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Gabi Ius works closely with 4-H and FFA programs around the state – a fitting job for someone who participated in both as a youngster.
“I knew in middle school that agriculture was meant for me,” Ius says.
Ius went on to earn degrees in agricultural communications and agribusiness at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where she also completed several internships, gaining experience to do the job she has now.
Ius credits both FFA and 4-H hands-on capabilities and leadership skills in her career development.
“Both FFA and 4-H have roles, activities and events to fill any kid’s desire for things they want to do,” Ius says. “The wide variety of programs and activities helps young people try out all these different career options within the ag industry.”
“Agriculture is a business, and it needs business-minded people who also care about the people who work in ag.”
– Tori Rumenik, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Director of Commodity Services and Supply Chain
The programs provide youth with access to an array of opportunities to discover their favorite aspect of agriculture.
“Typically, you can try something in a low-cost, low-pressure environment, where you meet other kids and learn something new in the process that broadens your understanding of your connection to the industry,” Ius says.
This translates to both 4-H and FFA members who enter production agriculture, as well as those who will find off-the-farm jobs.
“We’re not all going to be farmers, but we are all consumers,” Ius says. “Both organizations play a very active role in educating people about agriculture, nutrition and where our food comes from so that when they leave the organization, they are better consumers.”
A Place for Everyone
As a Florida State University student, Tori Rumenik thought she’d become an accountant or lawyer even though she’d fallen in love with agriculture during visits to a relative’s farm in Georgia.
“I saw work on the farm that was life-giving, and I wanted to be a part of providing food and shelter to people,” she says.
As she learned more about agriculture, she saw there was a place for everyone in ag, no matter what their college major might be.
She holds degrees in public relations and economics from FSU and earned a master’s degree in food and resource economics from the University of Florida. She was then recruited by The Context Network, a global agribusiness consulting company, which included work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Her passion for specialty crops and healthy food aligned perfectly with the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA), a member-service organization that represents a broad range of specialty crops, including vegetables, citrus, tropical fruit, berries, sod, sugarcane, tree crops and more.
As FFVA Director of Commodity Services and Supply Chain, Rumenik provides market and harvest reports and manages the marketing campaigns for co-ops such as the Sunshine Sweet Corn Farmers of Florida and the Florida Vegetable Exchange. She also works on national issues such as the Farm Bill, crop insurance and disaster assistance.
“I didn’t even know my job was an option until I started at FFVA,” says Rumenik, underscoring agriculture’s broad reach and need for passionate people with a wide variety of talents.
“We’re not all going to be farmers, but we are all consumers. Both organizations play a very active role in educating people about agriculture, nutrition and where our food comes from so that when they leave the organization, they are better consumers.”
– Gabi Ius, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Development Representative
FFVA helps develop those talents in future leaders. Through the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, FFVA’s nonprofit that supports research and educational activities, the Mike and Karen Stuart Scholarship provides $2,500 per recipient to college students intending to pursue a career in the specialty crop industry.
The Foundation also administers the Emerging Leader Development Program, which prepares leaders to be strong advocates for Florida agriculture. Program graduates go on to make lasting contributions to the industry.
“Agriculture is a business, and it needs business-minded people who also care about the people who work in ag,” Rumenik says.
See more: Florida Youth Institute Engages High Schoolers with Ag Interests
Agriculture Careers By the Numbers
2.7 million: jobs supported by Florida agriculture
Agriculture is Florida’s second-largest industry.
375: FFA chapters in Florida
61,000: FFA members in Florida
Florida 4-H has been around for 115 years.
204,731: youth in Florida 4-H
Sources: Florida 4-H, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida FFA