Someday, Logan McCabe would like to manage and, eventually, own a farm.

The Delaware native was able to get a jump on that goal through an agricultural apprenticeship at Fullers Overlook Farm in northeast Pennsylvania, where he spent two farming seasons training for an industry that state officials say will need 75,000 skilled workers in the next decade.

“The apprenticeships are real, and (they) remove one barrier for job seekers by allowing them to earn as they learn,” said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, who hosted a virtual panel Monday in recognition of National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 9-13.

Registered apprenticeships recognized by the state’s Department of Labor & Industry are eligible for funding through sponsorships.

McCabe graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English, and did some side work in agriculture, along with some hobby gardening, before taking on a diversified vegetable apprenticeship sponsored by Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

“I think, overall, it can be really rewarding, and it would be great if there were more people in the industry,” he said.

For Ethan Leib — who is working an agriculture equipment management apprenticeship sponsored by the Northeast Equipment Dealerships Association — continuing his education as a member of the workforce was the ideal choice.

“I really felt like I’d get better experience and learn more skills on the job rather than being in a classroom,” he said. The state also offers a Pasa-sponsored dairy grazing apprenticeship.

“The covid-19 pandemic caused rapid changes to our economy and workforce needs. Apprenticeships are a key tool that we need to use to rebuild our workforce to accommodate these changes,” said Labor & Industry Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Sheila Ireland. “Apprenticeships allow Pennsylvanians to earn while they learn, helping them earn a paycheck while making a career change that will benefit their family for the long term.”

Ireland said the increasing expense of a college education — and the debt that comes with it — and the job market shifting to demand more skilled workers has driven the growth of apprenticeship programs.

“We no longer believe that just because it’s a great industry, that it’s going to attract the right workforce,” Redding said. “It’ll help, for sure. But we need to make sure that people, at a very young age, recognize agriculture as a meaningful place of employment.”

McCabe said those interested can start small.

“Maybe go see if the farm down the road has volunteer days,” he said. “You don’t have to jump into a two-year program. Volunteer — see if it’s actually for you.”

Leib agreed.

“If you’re interested in agriculture at all, there’s probably a job for you,” he said.

Click here for more on Pasa apprenticeships.

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