Agriculture demands much from those called to serve it. Farmers work well before sunrise and well past sunset to ensure the crops get harvested, cows get fed and machinery gets fixed. It can be a stressful career path. Yet, it remains one of the most fulfilling — literally helping feed people. 

 

Because the job takes so much, we are seeing fewer and fewer next-generation farmers take the reins. According to USDA statistics, Wisconsin lost about 399 dairy farms last year alone — a year with relatively strong prices. Since 2017, America’s Dairyland has seen over 2,700 dairies shut off their milkers for the final time. 

 

To ensure Wisconsin’s dairy legacy continues to prosper, an investment must be made in the future leaders of the industry. For many years, the Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC) program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison served as a training ground for these future leaders. 

 

The FISC program exposed enrolled students to the world-class teaching and research UW offers in an abridged time window, allowing the students to still gain hands-on experience back home on the farm. 

 

My oldest son attended the program in 2018-2019, and he gained invaluable connections with other ag students that would go on to become farmers and industry leaders. Beyond great networking, he was exposed to a new environment filled with people of all walks of life, each bringing their own unique perspective to discussions — perspectives not always found in small rural communities. 

 

Recently, UW announced major changes were coming to FISC; changes that may alter the nature of, and purpose of, the program itself. After participating in several discussions on the program, it has become apparent that Wisconsin’s leading dairy organizations all believe in the value this program has provided its alumni and their businesses, yet shockingly few were involved in discussions surrounding its future.  

 

Of course, I understand declining enrollment signifies changes must be made. However, our stakeholders should be engaged to help drive innovation. A key principle in satisfying your customer is finding out what they want. Based on the reaction to this decision, it doesn’t appear UW has engaged its customers in any such way. 

 

I only hope the reaction has been loud enough for leadership at UW to hear how important programs like this are to maintaining a strong agricultural community in 

Wisconsin.