How do you boost the economy? It was a big question for President Obama during Wednesday's Twitter Town Hall.

Here in the Valley, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Jason Carter says agriculture is a proven answer that maybe isn't getting enough attention.

"For over 100 years the United States developed wealth by exporting things like energy resources, manufacturing products and agricultural goods," says Carter.

Some agricultural subsidies are on the chopping block in the Obama's debt ceiling negotiations, but during the town hall Obama also encouraged more investment education. That's an investment Carter says could help the industry.

"Encouraging young people through vocational programs and through investing in land grant universities certainly will help reinvigorate future generations to support agriculture," says Carter.

Future generations made up of youth like Morgan Slaven who uses her Facebook account to promote agriculture.

"I say, 'Hey, everyone look at this cool link I found. It's really showcasing Virginia farmers,'" explains Slaven.

Slaven studies agriculture at Virginia Tech and says a lot of youth would be surprised how high-tech agribiz is.

"It's all sorts of technology and GPS and all sorts of things that play into being the most productive that it can be," says Slaven.

Slaven has not only visited the White House but also other countries promoting the Ag industry, and its that globalized generation that's the key to a profitable Ag future says Carter.

Carter says investing in youth and concentrating political efforts on trade relations and tariffs will go a long way in boosting the economy by further developing a global agricultural industry.

"On the domestic side there's a lot of money that's been spent over the years to support agriculture for a price point of view, but developing export markets on the international scene is where the wealth can probably be generated," says Carter.

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