Co-ops across the state have evolved over the last 75 years as they recognized opportunities to improve their services while helping serve Tennessee farmers. Staying true to the Co-op’s rich history while looking to the future, the management team of United Farm & Home Co-op (UFHC) identified a need for dedicated employees in their agronomy and retail divisions. Partnering with Hardin County’s Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) at Crump, UFHC helped establish an apprenticeship opportunity through the farming operations and technology program.
“We have had a hard time finding candidates for agronomy and production agriculture work,” says Keith Farmer, chief operations officer of agronomy at UFHC. “As our Co-op continues to provide for farmers in our service area, we knew we needed to create a program designed to get youth involved in Co-op careers.”
The apprenticeship provides learning opportunities for individuals to develop marketable skills and competencies in support of their career aspirations while providing Co-ops with the talent to fill important positions.
Once hired at UFHC through the apprenticeship program, individuals will earn credentials as a customer service representative, retail management specialist, agricultural service worker, or agronomy service specialist. Applicants must already possess a high school diploma or GED to apply.
“The apprenticeship program allows students to apply their coursework at TCAT with the part-time work experience they are getting at Co-op, gaining invaluable hands-on skills,” says Scott Bohanon, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative education and training specialist. “After graduation, the students will be eligible for consideration for full-time positions at the Co-op where they can continue to learn and grow as valuable employees, and, over time, be able to assume important roles and responsibilities within the organization.”
The Co-op apprenticeship fits well with the goal of the TCAT Farming Operations Technology program to provide students with skills and knowledge needed for today’s farming operations, including row crops, animal, and precision agriculture, says Brent Cherry, TCAT farming operations instructor.
“We work closely with farmers and industry partners in helping train our students,” says Cherry. “The apprenticeship with United Farm & Home Co-op will provide hands-on learning experiences and hopefully prepare participants for a long-lasting career once they complete the program.”
Students enrolled in the apprenticeship will choose between two certification paths — an agronomy service specialist and a retail management specialist.
Those who choose to pursue the agronomy service specialist track will learn about soil sampling, scouting customer fields for insects and diseases, application of crop inputs, and assisting the agronomist with a variety of tasks that improve operational practices. The retail management specialist path will focus on facilitating purchases, providing customer service, and designing store layouts and merchandise displays. Responsibilities also include managing orders, processing, inspection, delivering merchandise, and managing store employee work assignments.
Both options will give participants the opportunity to learn the value of the cooperative system while giving them practical experience to prepare them for a bright future in agriculture, says Bohanon.
For more information about the program, visit https://www.ourcoop.com/careers-en or contact Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Education and Training Specialist Scott Bohanon at sbohanon@ourcoop.com or 615-793-8502. For more information about United Farm & Home Co-op, visit https://www.unitedfhcoop.com.