A panel at the Northeast Dairy Management Conference explored how mentorship, education and hands-on experience can draw young people into agricultural careers. Panelists included Debbie Grusenmeyer of Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY, dairy farmer and educator Johanna Bossard, and Ben Conniff, co-founder of the youth lobstering program Lift All Boats. Conniff shared how his Maine-based mentorship model, which began with four students, now draws more than 100 applicants annually by lowering barriers and meeting young people where they are. Grusenmeyer discussed Cornell's Junior DAIRY LEADERS program, which has engaged more than 600 high schoolers since its founding, with more than 90% remaining in dairy or agriculture afterward. Bossard, who teaches at Hamilton Central School and SUNY Morrisville, stressed that students often don't realize agriculture offers roughly 300 career paths beyond farming itself. Panelists agreed the industry cannot wait for young people to find it; building relationships, partnerships and hands-on opportunities is essential to securing agriculture's future workforce.