Agriculture in Wisconsin continues to contribute more than $100 billion to the state’s economy each year. The Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council’s newly published 2024 annual report highlights the efforts to continue future growth.
The report addresses the need for a strong and highly trained workforce to manage the increasingly technologically advanced agriculture systems.
“To attract young talent, we need to promote employment opportunities and work with partners to develop career pathways that maintain a thriving agricultural sector, which accounts for nearly 12% of the state’s employment,” says state Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek. “These recommendations will continue to strengthen Wisconsin’s agricultural workforce for the 21st century and beyond.”
The WAEWDC annual report includes reviews of agricultural education programs provided by Wisconsin’s educational systems and institutions. This includes the state Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Technical College System, UW System, and Division of Extension. It also includes details on the goals and activities of the WAEWDC during state fiscal year 2024.
The report highlights the council’s progress on previous and new goals:
- Embracing the “2 + 2” educational model to align agricultural curriculum so students can earn a bachelor’s degree by completing a two-year associate degree at a community college and transferring to a four-year institution for the remaining two years.
- Developing a plan to advocate for the need of additional Department of Public Instruction Education Consultants focused on Agriculture and National Resources/Wisconsin FFA.
- Exploring the development of specific agricultural education certifications for teachers.
- Developing and leading the “Agriculture for All” project to promote agriculture as a viable career pathway.
- Additionally, the council recommended establishing a WAEWDC strategic plan, to be implemented over the course of 2025-2030, to drive even greater aligned results.
See the annual report: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/waewdc/pdf/reports/2024-waewdc-annual-report.pdf?v2
