The National Professional Agriculture Student Organization (National PAS) is a student-led organization providing individual growth, leadership and career preparation opportunities for students enrolled in two and four-year colleges. Career development is accomplished through competition-style learning and real-life application. By time PAS Student members graduate, they are skilled professionals, prepared to work in areas throughout the agricultural, food, and natural resource industries.
This year’s conference theme is ‘Climbing Together’. Our organization recognizes how interdependent higher education, students, and the industry are on each other. National PAS Executive Director, Mary Kay Delvo, says, “Among the many challenge’s agriculture is facing, workforce is a big one. National PAS can be part of the solution when we work together.” Students come to the conference prepared in degree areas such as: precision agriculture, crops, agronomy, landscaping/horticulture, ag mechanics, soil science, ag education, sales, ag marketing, vet sciences, equine, beef cattle, dairy, sheep, livestock, and poultry. Competitions also take place in career preparation, planning, progress, and employment interview skills.
Between the regional diversity of students and diversity of degree areas students prepare for, this conference is a one-stop shop for potential employers working in food systems, agriculture and natural resources. In addition to competitions during the conference, students, educators and professionals can tour several Colorado agricultural businesses to learn about the great diversity of agriculture in Weld County, CO. There are four tour routes to choose from ranging from places such as Nutrien Technical Center, and Oskar Blues Brewery to Five Rivers Cattle, the USDA National Seed Bank, and several Colorado State University facilities. Each tour route will visit 2-4 separate businesses.
The big day for industries looking for talent, is Friday, March 15th. Which is Career and Industry Day beginning with an industry luncheon and followed by a career fair. The conference draws students from over 60 chapters in 13 states. Participating companies will have access to 600 career-ready students in search of internships and jobs from across the country. Those companies who participate will get a front row seat to their future workforce.
For those who like to see their workforce prospects in action first, join us as a judge on Thursday and Friday, March 14, and 15th. You’ll get the opportunity to talk directly with students and assess their skills firsthand.
Detailed conference information can be found at https://www.nationalpas.org/events To exhibit, sponsor, judge or attend, contact Mary Kay Delvo, 612-750-0814, marykay@nationalpas.org