Agriculture in Wisconsin continues to contribute more than $100 billion to the state’s economy each year, and the Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council’s (WAEWDC) newly published 2024 annual report highlights the efforts to continue future growth.
The report, which was recently approved by the council and is published by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), addresses the need for a strong and highly trained workforce that can manage the increasingly technologically advanced agriculture systems that are emerging in the industry.
The WAEWDC annual report includes reviews of agricultural education programs provided by Wisconsin’s educational systems and institutions, including: the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Wisconsin Technical College System, Universities of Wisconsin, and UW–Madison’s Division of Extension. It also includes details on the goals and activities of the WAEWDC during state fiscal year 2024. By working with educators and employers to attract and retain employees, the council is supporting the next generation of agriculturists.
The report highlights the council’s progress on previously set goals as well as new goals that were set in 2023, which include:
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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;
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Developing a plan to advocate for the need of additional Department of Public Instruction education consultants focused on agriculture and national resources/Wisconsin FFA;
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Exploring the development of specific agricultural education certifications for teachers; and
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Developing and leading the “Agriculture for All” project to promote agriculture as a viable career pathway.
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Additionally, the council recommended establishing a WAEWDC strategic plan, to be implemented over the course of 2025–30, to drive greater aligned results.
