6th Annual Growing Opportunities Career Fair
By Alberto Muro
Representatives from Central Valley agricultural companies come to Cal State Bakersfield campus March 8.
The 6th annual Growing Opportunities Career Fair was held in the Student Union Multi-purpose Room at Cal State Bakersfield on March 8. The event was designed for representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to distribute information regarding potential employment and internship opportunities for students.
Tractors were aligned outside the Student MPR welcoming anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in agriculture. Agriculture in California is a powerful economic force, and the state is also one of the largest distribution centers for fruit and vegetables for the United States. Government land management agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and Natural Resources Conversation Service were on campus offering opportunities to preserve the fertility of the farmlands and forests through out California.
The Animal and Plant Health Service were at the career fair to distribute information about invasive aquatic weeds with capabilities of damaging the rivers and invasive pests damaging California farmlands. Abel Williams, an employee for the Animal and Plant Health Service, was there to talk about his experience dealing with invasive plants, “I have been chasing the Giant Salvinia since 1983,” he says. Mr. Williams also spoke about the dangers that the invasive plant presents; as it matures, it becomes a thick floating mat capable of damaging boats and preventing light from reaching other plants.
The design that goes into creating a well established environment for crops to strive requires the ingenuity of engineers. With that said, vineyards throughout California require the right equipment in order to stand strong against the harsh elements. Jim’s Supply Company utilizes their resources to help create sturdy environments for farmers. Jim’s Supply Company has been in Bakersfield since 1959, and they are looking for internships that are customer orientated since they will be exposed multiple aspects of the business from purchasing to logistics to management to sales.
Other local businesses such as Bolthouse Farms, who are known throughout the San Joaquin Valley for their quality consumer products and carrot distribution, offered various information regarding internships and employment opportunities. Although Bolthouse Farms is based in Bakersfield, the company was bought back in 2012 by Campbell Soup. Current and future Bolthouse Farm employees and interns will now become part of Campbell Fresh (C-Fresh) Division along with their benefits and systems. Their current career website is still listed as Bolthouse for the time being, and once on that site, if Bakersfield does not offer a desired position, then you can look at openings throughout the United Sates.
Thanks to the Growing Opportunity Career Job Fair, agriculture and biology students found interest in Central Valley agriculture and the land management industry learning that their set of skills will contribute to stabilizing their environment and a fulfilling career.