Working in Agriculture

Wisconsin agriculture is a cornerstone of our state's history, a driver in today's economy and key to our future. For decades Wisconsin has been known as America's Dairyland, but the diversity and impact of our state's agriculture industry goes even farther.

The state is a national leader in snap beans for processing carrots, cheese, cranberries, ginseng, mink pelts, milk goats and more.

Wisconsin has almost 77,000 farms operating about 15 million acres. Wisconsin farms also grow a variety on our state's lands from cash grains to specialty crops. In 2012, the state's 11,000 dairy farms produced over 27.2 billion pounds of milk, most of which was made into quality Wisconsin cheese. Companies that provide inputs into Wisconsin farming activities include feed mills, equipment manufacturers and technicians, veterinarians, construction, genetics, milk haulers, processing plants and software to create a wave of economic impact that rolls across the entire state.

The impact of Wisconsin agriculture is worldwide. In 2012, Wisconsin exported $2.9 billion of agricultural products to over 149 countries. This is a 3% increase over the previous year and a record value for the state. Wisconsin is known for its abundance of safe and high-quality products.

The state is home to agricultural production, technology and expertise. From the crops we grow to the livestock we raise, Wisconsin agriculture will continue to grow to meet the growing demand of the international marketplace.

Agriculture Industry News

Check here for news and information about Wisconsin' s agriculture industry.

News items

August 2021

• Instilling passion for ag in students is why Costello teaches. Wisconsin State Farmer (August 4, 2021)

July 2021

• Helping youth find passion for the agriculture industry. Wisconsin State Farmer (July 13, 2021)

June 2021

• Wisconsin family moves from the classroom back to the dairy barn. KARE TV (June 16, 2021)

January 2021

• Virtual support available for farmers and farm couples. WKOW (January 8, 2021)
• First all-female dairy farm class at Wisconsin college. TMJ4 (January 7, 2021)

December 2020

• Wisconsin environmental and agricultural groups will partner to push for clean water, thriving farms. St. Croix 360 (December 18, 2020)
• These women were willing to find a niche in the ag industry. Wisconsin State Farmer (December 16, 2020)

January 2020

• Unique lesson helps Columbus High School students improve communication skills. Columbus Journal (January 9, 2020)
• As next generation of dairy farmers steps forward, this agriculture teacher is a confidante and guide. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (January 7, 2020)
• Alice in Dairyland candidates sought. KMA Land (January 4, 2020)

December 2019

• Central Wisconsin farm to school push. WAOW (December 12, 2019)

August 2019

• Cool stuff made in southeastern Wisconsin. Biztimes (August 20, 2019)
• Madison College students prepare for transfer, gain biotech skills. University of Wisconsin-Madison (August 16, 2019)
• Freshman Seminar Helps Put CALS Students on Path To Success. Cals News (August 15, 2019)

July 2019

• Explore agriculture at Future Generations at Farm Technology Days. Wisconsin State Farmer (July 17, 2019)
• Students explore careers in agriculture at FTD. The Country Today (July 15, 2019)

March 2019

• National Dairy Shrine offers over $50,000 in scholarships. Farm and Dairy (March 11, 2019)

February 2019

• Pardeeville students dig into career options at fair. Portage Daily Register (February 24, 2019)
• Tomah FFA 2018-2019 year in review. Tomah Journal (February 13, 2019)
• FFA grows college and career ready students. Wisconsin State Farmer (February 11, 2019)
• Wisconsin Experience Summer Launch gives freshman a head start. University of Wisconsin-Madison (February 8, 2019)

December 2018

• Excelling in promoting agriculture, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture winners start in the classroom. Wisconsin State Farmer (December 4, 2018)
• Sturgeon Bay teacher recognized for bringing agriculture into the classroom. USA Today Network-Wisconsin (December 2, 2018)

November 2018

• Freedom's award-winning ag teacher prepares next generation with eye on uncertain future. Appleton Post-Crescent (November 23, 2018)
• Milwaukee Program Uses Urban Agriculture To Help Veterans Heal From War. Central Time (November 22, 2018)

September 2018

• Extension plan emerges for part-time ag agent. Pierce County Herald (September 11, 2018)

June 2018

• Two Oconto Falls students take first at state FFA. Green Bay Press Gazette (June 22, 2018)
• National Dairy Shrine awards $45,000 in scholarships. Wisconsin State Farmer (June 16, 2018)
• Ag in the Classroom awards grants to fund ag literacy projects. Wisconsin State Farmer (June 11, 2018)
• This generation of women not just 'farm wives' anymore. Wisconsin State Farmer (June 1, 2018)

May 2018

• Women Make up more than half of grads in ag programs. Wisconsin State Farmer (May 30, 2018)
• Columbus students visit Duffy Grain. Columbus Journal (May 9, 2018)
• DATCP to Offer New Scholarship Program for Dairy Students. Wisconsin Ag Connection (May 4, 2018)

April 2018

• Ag Career Days Moved to Fall. The Kewaunee County Comet (April 25, 2018)
• Women agriculturists may be the answer for dwindling farm industry. The Daily Cardinal (April 11, 2018)

October 2017

• Forest Lake author receives Wisconsin Book of the Year award. Forest Lake Area Lowdown (October 13, 2017)
• Agriculture Education Attracting A Different Demographic. Wisconsin Public Radio (October 9, 2017)

September 2017

• Program trains students for careers. The Country Today (September 25, 2017)
• Your Wisconsin: Ashwaubenon students growing for for lunchroom. We Area Green Bay (September 18, 2017)

July 2017

• Educators get agriculture primer. CountryToday.com (July 10, 2017)
• Wisconsin startup uses drones to survey farmland. Green Bay Press-gazette (July 7, 2017)

June 2017

• We all rely on dairy for the impact it has on Wisconsin. Fond du Lac Reporter (June 15, 2017)
• EDITORIAL – Dairy industry still huge in Wisconsin. I Want the News (June 14, 2017)

May 2017

• Wisconsin Bill would offer veterans careers in agriculture. TMJ4 (May 23, 2017)

April 2017

• Agriculture group aims to recruit young Wisconsin farmers. US News (April 09, 2017)

March 2017

• 'Ag for Life' is worth celebrating. WISC News.com (March 21, 2017)
• WTC event highlights agriculture industry. WXOW.com (March 20, 2017)
• Students join CVTC ag skills event. River Falls Journam (March 16, 2017)

February 2017

• Advice for young women interested in ag careers. Agrinews.com (February 27, 2017)
• Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference Planned for March. Wisconsin Ag Connection (February 13, 2017)
• February is Career and Technical Education Month. La Crosse Tribune (February 8, 2017)

November 2016

• Returning Veterans Put Down Roots with USDA. USDA.gov (November 15, 2016)
• Millennials Look to Job Opportunities in Farming. US News.org (November 8, 2016)
• Ag in the Classroom offers updated materials. Wisconsin Farmer (November 9, 2016)
• UW farm short course sparks careers. Daily Citizen (November 1, 2016)

September 2016

• Field Trip Attracts City Students to Career in Agriculture. Fox 11 Online (September 23, 2016)
• Agriculture career fair features jobs beyond farming. Daily Citizen (September 15, 2016)

August 2016

• Millennials Look to Job Opportunities in Farming. US News and World Report (August 11, 2016)

July 2016

• Terry Moulton: Dairy farming is Wisconsin's backbone. The Chippewa Herald (July 31, 2016)
• Co-op receives loan for Nueske's expansion. Stevens Point Journal (July 29, 2016)
• Agriculture jobs expand beyond farming. Post Crescent (July 29, 2016)

May 2016

• Schools Recruit Students Into Agriculture Fields. Reedsburg Times Press (May 25, 2016)

April 2016

• Young farmers are feeling the face of Wisconsin agriculture. JSOnline (April 23, 2016)
• Alice in Dairyland host sought. Wisconsin State Farmer (April 20, 2016)
• FVTC Agriculture Students Earn National Honors. Wisconsin Ag Connection (April 20, 2016)
• WAEC nets gift from BouMatic. Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter (April 15, 2016)
• Wisconsin Is A Model For Organic Farming, Says Agriculture Expert. Wisconsin Public Radio (April 5, 2016)

December 2015

• Agriculture group to launch programs at Bethesda. Watertown Daily Times (December 15, 2015)
• Wisconsin Ag Women' s Summit dates set. Agriview.com (December 10, 2015)
• Ag in the Classroom program awards grants. Agriview.com (December 17, 2015)
• Students delving into aquaculture, aquaponics. Ashland Daily Press (December 14, 2015)

November 2015

• Lomira Teacher Recognized for Agricultural Curriculum. Wisconsin Ag Connection (November 24, 2015)
• 28 Wisconsin counties receive much-needed veterinary services through federal loan repayment program. WEAU.com (November 23, 2015)
• 28 Wisconsin counties receive much-needed veterinary services through federal loan repayment program. WEAU.com (November 23, 2015)
• Outstanding Young Farmer: progressive thinker. Agriview.com (November 25, 2015)
• Outagamie County scholarships available. Agriview.com (November 25, 2015)

October 2015

• The Next Generation of Agricultural Education . SW News 4U.com (October 21, 2015)
• Dairy science major: what to expect . Agriview.com (October 2, 2015)

September 2015

• Women farmers share their stories at World Dairy Expo . WKOW.com (September 30, 2015)
• Fourth graders learn about where their food comes from . WSAW.com (September 25, 2015)

July 2015

• Ag employers step up efforts to attract youth . Agriview.com (July 16, 2015)
• Badgerland Financial welcomes interns. Agri-view (July 2, 2015)
• Local food helps state's economy grow. Agri-view (July 1, 2015)

June 2015

• Larson Named Wisconsin's Outstanding Ag Educator. Wisconsin Ag Connection (June 30, 2015)
• Exploring Careers in Agriculture - State FFA Convention. NBC15.com (June 17, 2015)

April 2015

• Merrill High School Students Raise Awareness for Ag Careers. WSAW.com (April , 2015)

March 2015

• Wisconsin AgriFuture Summit, April 8-9. WisFarmer.com (March 16, 2015)
• Women in Agriculture Conference Coming to Milladore. Wisconsin Ag Connection (March 16, 2015)
• Educator Scholarships Help Encourage Agriculture Literacy. Wisconsin Ag Connection (March 10, 2015)
• Technology driving agriculture career training at FVTC. postcrescent.com (March 6, 2015)
• Farm careers go beyond the barn. Green Bay Press Gazette (March 6, 2015)
• Agriculture industry offers wide range of careers. Wausau Daily Herald (March 6, 2015)
• Ag program teaches farmers profitability, efficiency. Wisconsin Rapids Tribune (March 6, 2015)

February 2015

• Agriculture program students learn about more than plants, animals and food. Twin Cities.com (February 1, 2015)

January 2015

• Dairy Foundation Awards $32,500 in 2015 Education Grants. AgWeb.com (January 15, 2015)
• Cornerstone Dairy Academy builds career opportunities. AgriView.com (January 15, 2015)
• Register now for Wisconsin Farm to School Summit. Walworth County Today (January 14, 2015)
• Wisconsin FFA Members Receive Grants for SAE Programs. Wisconsin Ag Connection (January 8, 2015)

December 2014

• Dairy industry contributes $43.4 billion to Wisconsin' s economy. AgriView.com (December 31, 2014)

November 2014

• Applications sought for Alice in Dairlyland. Appleton Post-Crescent (November 24, 2014)
• WFBF Awards Mini-Grants to Ag in the Classroom Teachers. Wisconsin Ag Connection (November 24, 2014)
• Wisconsin Agricultural Exports Climb 17 Percent. La Crosse Tribune (November 13, 2014)
• USDA Awards AgrAbility Grants to Expand Access to Farming. Wisconsin Ag Connection (November 7, 2014)
• Why I Fight for Agriculture. Waunakee Tribune (November 6, 2014)
• UW-River Falls celebrates veterans with special event. Agri-View.com (November 3, 2014)

October 2014

• World Celebrates Rural Women in Agriculture Day. Wisconsin Ag Connection (October 16, 2014)

September 2014

• One In Nine Jobs In Wisconsin Connected To Agriculture. Door County Daily News (September 20, 2014)

August 2014

• Dairy one of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days' highlights. DairyHerd.com (August 10, 2014)
• Rock River Launches New Lab Facility in Colby. WI Ag Connection (August 8, 2014)
• Badgerland Financial Offering ' Beginning Farmer' Grants. WI Ag Connection (August 11, 2014)

June 2014

• State Highlights Program That Employs Persons with Disabilities. WI Ag Connection (June 30, 2014)
• 30x20 grants awarded to processors. The Country Today (June 30, 2014)
• Family, organizers ready for Farm Technology Days. Green Bay Press-Gazette (June 27, 2014)
• WFBF Awards Matching Grants to Ag Literacy Projects. WI Ag Connection (June 3, 2014)