WG4 – Mapping the territory of youth careers in agriculture and food
IAWA
ISWA2026
Working groups
WG4 – Mapping the territory of youth careers in agriculture and food

WG4 – Mapping the territory of youth careers in agriculture and food

This working group explores pathways, junctures and experiences of youth careers in the agri-food sector. Youth attraction and retention is a crucial element in the discussion about supporting a sustainable agriculture workforce. It implies a need to map the territory of youth careers and experiences in the agri-food sector, considering various junctures shaping career decision-making throughout. The working groups thus aims to showcase recent scholarship and policy research with a view to soliciting academic dialogue, international collaboration and networking that focuses on 1) Empirical research of young people’s engagement in agricultural work, training and careers, 2) Policy approaches shaping young people’s work experiences in the sector, 3) Research building theory and policy.

Convenors: Catherine Waite (University of Melbourne, Australia), Michael Santhanam-Martin (University of Melbourne, Australia), Ruth Nettle (University of Melbourne, Australia), Fiona Williams (Harper Adams University, United Kingdom), Conor Hogan (Teagasc, Ireland), Amy Cosby (Central Queensland University, Australia ), Callum Eastwood (DairyNZ, New Zealand), Caroline Nye (University of Exeter, United Kingdom)

How could smart farming technologies attract and retain young people in the agri-food sector in Australia?  
Yuchen Miao, Ruth Nettle, Catherine Waite 
 

Young people’s pathways into agriculture jobs and careers: an expansive perspective to inform strategic interventions 
Catherine Waite, Ruth Nettle, Michael Santhanam-Martin, Hernan Cuervo, Margaret Ayre 
 

Agricultural interest, experience, and food system behaviors in two Indigenous Communities in the U.S.: Comparisons of three age groups 18-25; 26-35 and >35  
Jane Kolodinsky    
 

‘Triple A’ - Awareness, Attractiveness and Access: Advancing Understanding of Young Peoples’ Relationships with Agricultural Work   
Fiona Williams, David Rose, Laura Palczynski   
 

Careers and work aspirations of livestock farmers with a degree in higher education in France  
Anne-Lise Jacquot, Marine Jacquemin, Julie Duval 
 

Generational Perspectives: Investigating the factors that influence the attractiveness of dairy farming  
Padraig Lacey, Tomás Russell, Brian Leonard, Conor Hogan 
 

Exploring Pathways and Roots: How Middle and High School Students Develop Agricultural Career Interests  
Kellie Claflin    
 

Perceived Career-Related Supports and Barriers Among First-Year Students in University Agriculture Programs    
Ashley Thompson, Kellie Claflin   
 

Mapping free labor in young farmers’ pathways   
Marie Barisaux, Lucette Laurens, Pierre Gasselin   
 

Engaging Female Students in Agricultural Technology Driven Careers in Agriculture and Food   
Jaime Manning, Amy Cosby    
 

From Campus to Career: what university agriculture students look for in job ads   
Amy Cosby, Nicole McDonald, Pat Colusso, Danielle Every, Jaime Manning   
 

Why Is It Hard to Hire and Retain Agricultural Workers? Insights from Farmers and Agribusiness Owners    
Suzanna Windon, Ellen Zelinsky   
 

Sustainable Employability: A Capability Framework for Digital Agri-Food Youth Careers    
Erika Quendler, Alexander Plaikner  
 

Entering, staying, leaving: professional trajectories in agriculture    
Nicolas Loodts, Julie Hermesse   
 

Using choice modelling to understand factors influencing retention of youth in New Zealand dairy farming workplaces   
Phoebe Gill, Sam Cormack, Adam Barker, Callum Eastwood, Brian Dela Rue  
 

Publication date: 11 September 2026 | By: I Avelange