Paul A. LarsonAgricultural EducatorFreedom High School

Freedom, WIOctober 26, 2011

Agriculture?What is it?What images?Who’s involved?

Agriculture’s Impact on WI$59,160,000,000 of economic activity

“The Economic Impacts of Agriculture In Wisconsin”Dave Williams

Associate Program Director

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/wisag/

Will we have enough qualified workers to support Wisconsin’s largest industry?

Helping Assure a Quality Workforce for Wisconsin Agriculture.Wisconsin Agricultural Education

Workforce Development CouncilHistory:

Leg. Approval: April 7, 2008 – Act 223 Signed into law

• Mission: Attract and retain a quality workforce for Wisconsin’s agricultural industry.

Actions:WDB-SCW – Grant Partner – 8 TrainingsWI Agribusiness Academy: Collaborator-UW

Extension -Leadership training provided to 16 mid level managers

Meat Processing Boot Camp: Collaborator-Specialty Meat Development Center - Orientation to meat processing careers provided to 22 participants at two workshops

Introduction to Dairy Processing: Collaborator-Dairy Business Innovation Center - Orientation to dairy processing careers provided to 16 participants.

Partnership TrainingsFarmstead Dairy Processing HACCP Training:

Collaborator- Dairy Business Innovation Center -A total of 22 farmstead dairy processors completed HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) training at sessions held in Appleton, Siren and @ UW-Madison. There were 13 one-on-one follow up sessions completed in June & July.

Orientation to Agriculture Careers: Collaborator-WI Technical College System -Orientations to agriculture careers were held in 2 sessions (MATC-Madison & FVTC-Appleton) with a total of 17 participants.

Partnership TrainingsLandscape Technician Training: Collaborator-

Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association - Landscape certification was taught at two sessions held at MATC-Mequon & FVTC-Appleton on 7/16/11 with 76 participants.

Fields: Collaborator-DATCP (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection) -Training assistance provided to 27 farmers relative to seeking and applying for off-farm employment.

Partnership TrainingsFood Processing HACCP Training:

Collaborator-Midwest Food Processors Association - Food Processing HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) training was held at UW River Falls with 36 participants.

Results – 8 Trainings$226,917.99 grant funds utilizedAdditional $224,787.67 of industry leveraged

funding

Trained 232 participants

WHYAG.COMWeb based efforts to connect employees with

employerswww.whyag.comVisitors select their individual skills from

skills matrix and then are connected to agricultural careers that match their skills and further connect them to employers seeking that skill set.

Educational ConcernsDeclining enrollment in WI rural areas.Fewer students = funding issues.Academic vs. Career and Technical

Coursework – Access.Meeting industry’s need for employeesState budget shortfalls

OpportunitiesScience credit for Career and Tech Courses.WI Ag. Ed. & Workforce Dev. CouncilMagnet High Schools in Urban areaAdvanced Standing, transcripted credits &

seamless curriculum