Providing students real-life experience in real-time

BALDWIN, Wis. — As a student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Mary Holle had no idea that 15 years post graduation, she would take the lead of a reimagined agricultural education program.

Holle, along with her husband, Joe, and their children, Johnathan and Jacob, operate Holle-Oaks Dairy LLC, with Joe’s parents, Steve and Janet Holle. In 2016 the Holles began the process of transitioning ownership of the farm, where Steve and Janet commenced their own dairy farming careers in 1979. The 500-acre farm near Baldwin is home to 60 registered Holstein cows and 90 heifers.

Holle graduated from UW-River Falls in December 2011 with degrees in dairy science and agricultural business. While attending school, she competed on the dairy cattle judging team. That involvement opened doors to her eventually becoming an assistant judging coach.

In February, Holle was named director of the school’s Farm and Industry Short Course program, which was relocated to UW-River Falls from UW-Madison in 2023.

“I’m excited to help build this program back …,” Holle said. “We’re in an expansion phase. We already have more students enrolled for the 2026-27 term than we had for 2025-26.”

Holle has been involved in FISC since it came to UW-River Falls. By that time she had been coaching the judging team for nearly a decade and had moved into lecturing for a dairy cattle evaluation course and assisting with FFA Career Development Events held at the school.

“When FISC came to UW-River Falls, I took on coordinating farm tours and guest speakers through my community contacts as a dairy farmer in the area,” Holle said. “Then I taught a course similar to the undergraduate dairy evaluation class I taught, focusing on genetics and matings.”

Holle’s goal, working with FISC, is to strengthen the program through a focus on growing enrollment, building industry connections and an atmosphere of real-world relevance.

“This year I want to increase awareness of the program and strengthen our recruitment efforts with high schools and farm families,” Holle said. “I want to ensure the curriculum remains highly practical and aligned with current agricultural needs.”

With a strong foundation, Holle said she looks forward to playing an active role in developing those who will become the face of production agriculture.

“I strive to bring real, on-farm experiences and industry connections to our students,” Holle said. “I actively farm each and every day, and I am open and honest about the realities of farming. Our students won’t benefit unless we prepare them for what they are truly walking into.”

Holle’s vision for the program includes helping her students integrate into the ever-changing dairy industry by developing partnerships with industry-leading organizations such as Professional Dairy Producers. Holle hopes to increase hands-on learning opportunities, create new opportunities for farm tours and guest speakers, while creating stronger pathways for internships and job placement for students.

As students continue to graduate from the program, Holle plans to capitalize on those continued opportunities for collaboration, building a strong alumni network and highlighting graduate success.

“My goal is to position FISC as a premier option for students planning to return to production agriculture,” Holle said. “Ultimately, I want FISC to be recognized as a leading pipeline for developing the next generation of agricultural producers and industry leaders.”

Holle acknowledged there are obstacles to overcome on the road to achieving her goals for the program.

“There is competition from other educational pathways,” Holle said. “From traditional 4-year degrees, 2-year technical colleges and industry-led training, these options all offer formal credentials or specialized training, making it harder for FISC to clearly communicate its value to students, parents and guidance counselors who are more familiar with conventional degree programs.”

The perception that FISC is a less rigorous option is another challenge Holle intends to overcome.

“In reality, FISC is an intensive, highly applied program, built specifically for students planning to return to production agriculture,” Holle said. “Changing the narrative so that stakeholders understand that FISC is a strategic, career-focused choice and not a fallback is essential. FISC is an immersive, hands-on program, designed to connect students with both educational and industry resources.”

To overcome those hurdles, Holle plans to ensure her message is reaching its target audience.

“The ideal FISC students are often already connected to agriculture, especially those planning to return to family farms,” Holle said. “These students may feel pressure to pursue a traditional college route, even when FISC might be a better fit for their goals. Others might be encouraged to stay home and work, due to the current ag economy, rather than invest in their education.”

Holle looks forward to the changes growth can bring to FISC students.

“As admissions grow, we are exploring specializations,” Holle said. “Currently we are dairy focused. The next steps will include agronomy and horticulture, followed by developing a second-year specialization in agricultural business. I’m excited about future possibilities such as beef, equine, crops and soils, ag business, dairy processing — the sky is really the limit to what we can offer.”

As a dairy farmer, Holle believes serving FISC is her way to give back to an industry that has been her own lifeblood.

“My ability to integrate my own farm experience into the program is one of the greatest strengths I bring to FISC,” Holle said. “Being actively involved in a working dairy operation allows me to connect classroom instruction to real-time decision making. Whether it’s managing feed costs, evaluating herd health protocols or navigating market fluctuations, the perspective I bring ensures what students are learning is not theoretical, but immediately applicable.”