U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Dale Cochran said Sunday evening in the Memorial Union’s Great Hall that people beginning a career in agriculture today face many challenges.

Grassley and Cochran spoke after being initiated into Iowa State’s honorary agriculture fraternity, Alpha Zeta. The organization was celebrating its 90th anniversary at ISU.

Because only 2 percent of Americans are involved in full-time agriculture, Grassley said it is a “constant struggle” to inform people about the importance of agriculture.

He said educating them about the efficiency of American agriculture can be a challenge. “The lack of that understanding is a major problem in agriculture.”

The senator warned Alpha Zeta members about the obstacles ahead.

“As a matter of necessity you will find yourself in the interest of agriculture having to work harder to convince more people of the importance of agriculture and the importance of specific jobs within that food chain,” he said.

Grassley said America’s strong agricultural base is essential not only for the country’s internal well-being and economic strength, but for a world that is becoming more globally interdependent. America’s agriculture system, he said, helps the country meet humanitarian responsibilities and is the basis for a strong economy which promotes world peace.

“We all have a job to make sure that the message gets out,” Grassley said. “And for you who seek a livelihood in agriculture, or in something related to agriculture, you’ll see that it’s basic to your own well-being.”

Cochran agreed.

“These are interesting, challenging times,” he said. “And it’s a grand opportunity for you young people … to work for society and our country and in particular to work for agriculture and the family farmer.”

The changes in agriculture in the last 40 years are amazing, Cochran said.

“A lot of people have the opportunity to go on to develop and use and pursue new opportunities in science and research,” he said.

Cochran said too many farmers and their spouses are forced to get jobs off of the farms, “in order to hang onto the farm. Particularly the younger ones. And if they are a little further along, and think maybe they can hold onto the farm, they are getting a job in town so that their family won’t have to live a second-class existence.”

Cochran encouraged Alpha Zeta members to realize there are agriculture opportunities, but to recognize that those opportunities don’t exist yet for everyone.