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Wisconsin launches “Why Ag”

The Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council has developed a website to help make students more aware of the job opportunities in agriculture. WhyAg.com has a number of tools which first allow an individual to identify their talents and then match those talents with agricultural careers which best utilize those talents. The website goes on to present the various educational programs available for their talent as well as a list of current employment opportunities in agriculture.

The whole idea was launched at the Wisconsin School Counselors Association Conference this past weekend. The presentation was made by Natalie Killion, a guidance counselor at Green Bay Preble who serves on the WAEWDC. “The business climate in Wisconsin is very much in support of promoting agriculture. People are often very surprised to learn that one-in-ten jobs in the state is related to the agricultural industry.”

Killion was an agriculture teacher who became frustrated that students were not being guided into agriculture classes so she decided to become a counselor. She says school counselors are often “very surprised to hear how large agriculture is as an employer in our state.” Once they get the information about the opportunities available, they want to meet the needs of their students and answer the questions their parents may have about the student’s potential in an ag-related field.

To go along with this effort, ag teachers across the state are seeking to align their programs with the career opportunities out there. That includes the high school ag teacher being in communication with colleges and technical schools to make sure students have the proper background to advance to the next level. Of particular note, Killion says only 56 percent of students who pursue a bachelor’s degree actually complete it and just 29 percent complete an associate degree. Research has found that once a student actually connects with a career, it becomes a motivator to complete the degree. “If we can connect people early-on to what is at the end of the road, we will have better success in our educational pursuits here in Wisconsin.

The Why Ag effort will pan-out across Wisconsin in the months to come in an effort to make people aware of the website and the opportunities in agriculture.

AUDIO: Killion talks about the effort 8:34 mp3

Visit the Why Ag website here: