HUDSON (AP) – Some educators warn a shortage of agriculture instructors could stifle student development in one of Iowa’s largest industries.

“We have not produced nearly enough [teachers] to meet demand. I hope it’s just a cycle,” said Greg Miller, ISU professor of ag education and studies.

Twice as many Iowa high schools are looking for ag instructors this year than there are potential candidates graduating from Iowa State, the only state school with an ag teaching program.

Miller said for seven openings only five students are preparing for teaching jobs, and not all of them graduated this spring. One already accepted a teaching job out of state, he said.

In 2001, Miller said 31 ag students prepared for teaching jobs. The last few years, the average has been about 15.

Around the nation, the story is pretty much the same.

The National Study of the Supply and Demand for Teachers of Agricultural Education indicated 40 high school ag departments across the country shut down last year due to the lack of a qualified teacher.

Low pay compared to the business world and the urbanization of America are blamed for the shortage, which some say would be devastating to the agriculture industry.

That industry accounted for $13.4 billion, or 16.4 percent, of the gross state product in 2002. Manufacturing was on top at 22 percent.

As farm numbers decline, many young Iowans know less about agriculture. Without instruction in ag business and production at the high school level, the next generation may never be exposed to the industry and may choose other fields.

Miller said he recently visited Roland-Story High School, and only one out of 20 ag students lived on a farm.

“That’s the whole point for having a good program,” Miller said. “I’m not an economist, [but] we’re helping prepare the work force in Iowa at various levels. People who come through ag programs are more likely to stay in Iowa because there is opportunity there.”

Miller hopes several steps recently taken by the state will attract young people into the profession. ]

Iowa lawmakers voted this year to boost teacher salaries. Since there is a shortage, money is also available for sign-on bonuses and for student-loan forgiveness programs.

In Hudson, with a thriving agriculture sector, two-thirds of the 75 high school students taking ag classes live in town. That is the opposite of a decade or two ago, officials said.

Hudson ag teacher Dennis Deppe molded his curriculum to meet the changing face of agriculture, teaching agribusiness and consumer issues rather than focusing solely on raising livestock and planting crops.

“It’s really a concern,” he said of the shortage of teachers. “If we don’t educate the youth on the basics of our economy and food supply – and now with the biofuels boom – they will have a lot harder time finding a career in it.”

Oelwein Superintendent Jim Patera feels fortunate to have attracted one of Iowa State’s ag teaching grads. If a replacement hadn’t been found, Patera said the program would have been in jeopardy.

“Ag programs provide the finest opportunities to learn in leadership building and practical skills.

“Let’s face it, we live in Iowa and so much of our livelihood is based on agriculture,” he said.