Connecting students to the industry

RIVER FALLS, Wis. — As the agriculture industry changes and evolves, University of Wisconsin-River Falls college students are stepping up to grow alongside the industry, as they aim to develop their skills, grow their networks and contribute to a community they call home.

One opportunity for students to connect, learn and advocate was the University of Wisconsin-River Falls’ 13th annual student-led Ag Day on Campus. The event, hosted by the UW-River Falls Farm Bureau Collegiate Chapter, brought students to hear from agriculture leaders and promote agriculture to a broad audience, including local daycare groups and community members.

The theme this year, “Raising the Bar in Agriculture,” centered around building deeper connections and encouraging continuous learning within the industry.

“This theme encompasses not only the hard work we put into the industry, but how we continue to grow and develop each and every day,” said Brooke Beardsley, one of the chairs of the event. “It’s the purpose we all share and provide for the next generation.”

With many of the attendees being students, the event emphasized the value of engaging young adults in the agriculture industry. Throughout the day, interactive booths, panels of agriculture industry leaders and activities combined education and entertainment.

One of the booths was hosted by the college’s dairy club, where attendees could test their bovine anatomy knowledge by matching cow parts to a diagram.

“We’ve already had a couple people come through and they labeled a part correct and just seeing their eyes, they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, (I) actually got it right,’” said Ainsley Noble, president of the club. “They don’t understand like we do. They didn’t grow up around the industry that we did, and it’s super cool to see all the sparks and the people learn more about dairy – something that all of us are super passionate about.”

As the semester winds down, this event is a highlight many students look forward to each year.

“It’s very important that a school like this — that’s especially involved in the agriculture industry — keeps that spirit alive,” Noble said. “Seeing all these agriculture clubs is super cool.”

Noble helped design the booth to connect with visitors from all backgrounds, no matter their connection to the agriculture community.

“One of the most important parts (from the theme) ‘Raising the Bar in Agriculture’ is seeing all these college aged students put on something so special to a lot of them,” Noble said. “(I like) seeing all these clubs come together and take time out of their busy schedules … to spread awareness about agriculture because they truly care.”

The event also sparked conversations about the future of the industry and how it can grow. Katie Cink, one of the three main student organizers, said providing opportunities for everyone involved in agriculture is valuable.

“Events like this really just do enhance the experience of other college kids (bringing in) city folks to little daycare kids running around,” Kink said. “It just brings an environment that is unmatched. You see everybody celebrating what they have done in agriculture.”

Fellow organizer JoHannah Gehrke said connections made through the agriculture industry boosted her confidence, leading her to pursue a career in meat science.

The importance of investing in people and fostering growth was also discussed during a panel highlighting the professional opportunities in agriculture.

Mike Sankey, a Wisconsin sales agronomist with Legacy Seeds was one of the panelists.

“We need people in this industry because without people, agriculture doesn’t thrive,” Sankey said.

He encouraged students to take advantage of networking opportunities and highlighted the power of community within the industry.

“In agriculture, one of the biggest things right now that we’re all having to do is being able to do more with less,” Sankey said. “To do that, we need to really raise the bar. We’re getting more and more urban sprawl.”

Gerhke agreed.

“It means stepping up and improving and building on the past,” she said.

This event highlighted the different journeys into a career in agriculture. Sankey said the industry offers a wide range of opportunities to learn and grow no matter the initial connection to the industry.

Sankey grew up in a city, yet saw himself one day somehow being involved in agriculture.

“Growing up working on farms in my hometown I saw the need like, ‘Hey, we definitely need more people in this industry,’” Sankey said. “When I came to college here at UW-River Falls, I definitely saw that need arise again. There’s a lot more people like me that didn’t grow up on family farms that are here.”

Noble said the event brought togetherness.

“It’s a great opportunity for members, especially our officers, to really get the opportunity to share who they are,” Noble said. “They can share how passionate they are about the dairy industry and then get to network with all these other agricultural clubs and the community and the other students on campus that come.”