GATES — Congressman Don Davis, D-N.C., last week discussed during a town hall the important role agriculture can play in creating the well-paying jobs that will convince more young people to stay and work in their own communities.
“I want to be clear I have the understanding and belief that there is nothing like being on the ground and seeing it for yourself,” Davis told the 40 residents gathered in the auditorium at Gates County High School for a town hall on April 4. “I am all in. I’ve visited 19 counties (in the 1st District) and made 160 stops, hitting the pavement, meeting the people of this district hearing their concerns.”
Top among those concerns, Davis said, are the “highest healthcare disparities in the state” and the flight of young people from their communities because they believe available job opportunities can’t compete with those in larger cities and towns.
Davis, who represents the 1st House District and is seeking re-election this fall, suggested that frequent discussions about the importance of school curricula based on STEM — science, technology engineering and math — and STEAM — the STEM subjects plus art — often leave out another “a” — for agriculture.
Davis said hundreds of thousands of jobs in agriculture are going vacant because older workers are retiring and younger farmers and others are facing great challenges trying to operate profitable businesses. Those challenges include not having enough laborers, not enough resources to buy or replace equipment, and not enough access to better technology skills.
“Labor is a big issue in agriculture and I have been a fighter for that industry,” he said. “Agriculture is still our leading industry and we can never lose it.”
Too often, many young people are not aware that some of the same computer, math, marketing, biology and communication skills used in other professions can also be used to land good-paying jobs in agriculture, Davis said. He believes no one is better suited for those agriculture-related jobs than college-educated adults who grow up in rural areas.
“We need to do a better job of exposing our young people to the kinds of jobs that are available today in the agriculture industry,” Davis said. “We have a lot of work to do because there are great opportunities in that industry.”
He said apprenticeships and internships, rigorous school summer programs, and Cooperative Extension programs are all resources students can take advantage of to get themselves prepared for the region’s workforce.
Davis noted that common themes emerge whenever he talks with young people about whether their long-term goals include staying in the counties where they were raised.
“‘We don’t feel we have real opportunities here,’” he said, quoting the young people with whom he’s spoken. “In massive numbers, they’re leaving our rural towns looking for opportunity, not realizing more opportunities are here than they think.”
He said some young people are simply not aware of the programs offered by community colleges and universities located “right here” in the 1st House District that prepare graduates for high-paying jobs in such fields as content design, aviation, marketing and computer chip development.
“We need to push our kids, grandkids, kids we know who attend our schools, to look at careers that involve different technologies, biotechnology, and different tools,” Davis said.
He noted that drones — which students can learn to fly at Elizabeth City State University’s Aviation Science program — are now used in multiple occupations.
“Drones, for instance, can be used whether tracking emergency weather conditions such as floods, storm damage or even crop management programs,” Davis said. “They will need the right education and they can get that education here in the 1st District.”
In addition, Davis said, young people are not aware of the many remote work options now available because of improved internet access in rural areas. The right training will allow them to stay in the region and either build or purchase a home in rural communities where land is plentiful, he said.
Retaining well-educated young people and attracting more skilled, educated working adults are both critical to improving rural economies, Davis said.
Addressing other topics, Davis said he remains committed to keeping America fiscally responsible and to making the necessary reforms to make government work better for citizens.
“There are some government processes that need to be fixed and I am committed to being part of those solutions,” he said.
Elected officials must be ready to make changes affecting the lives of residents in everything from Social Security and Medicare to economic development and public safety, Davis said. After applauding law enforcement and veterans in the audience for their commitment to defending North Carolinians’ quality of life, he said he’s also committed to that mission.
“I’m here assuring you I’m fighting for families, farmers, our military people, veterans, young people, working people, seniors,” Davis said. “We are going to stay in this fight for our democracy, the fight for great schools for our kids, relevant education programs and colleges for adults.”
Davis, who faces Republican Laurie Buckhout in the November General Election, said he expects an expensive re-election campaign.
“We have raised $1 million,” he said, noting that his campaign is closing out its filing reports. “Most of all, we’re raising resources to make sure we get our message out to deliver what is needed for the families of eastern North Carolina.”
Most Popular
Comments / 0