Agriculture

Current State of Agriculture

Agriculture is a major strength of the region and, indeed, of the entire Upper Midwest. Dane County ranks first and Dodge County ranks fourth in the State in the total value of agricultural product sales.

The Agriculture Industry like manufacturing, construction and energy are facing an aging workforce at time when the industry has become very technical. A modern food processing operation can look almost like science fiction to the untrained eye. Processing plants are computer regulated, equipment has a level of robotics application, communication is satellite based, the markets are global and must be navigated and the equipment is expensive so productivity and income must be totally maximized.

Industry Insight

Wisconsin’s farms and agricultural businesses generate $59.16 billion in economic activity and provide jobs for 353,991 people, according to a recent study conducted by University of Wisconsin-Extension. Wisconsin agriculture contributes in a significant way to the state’s economic base despite the acute financial pressures caused by low prices for several products including milk and cheese as well as high input costs. Between 2007 and the present the Wisconsin agriculture's economic activity increased 14.9 percent, up from $51.5 billion, from a similar study conducted in 2004 using data for 2000.

Sector Leadership

The Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council provides advice and counsel to state agencies, educational institutions, and the Wisconsin Legislature on matters related to agricultural education and workforce development. The Council is also working to help attract, develop and retain the superior workforce required to grow Wisconsin’s production agriculture, agribusiness, food and natural resource sectors.

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Here's how agriculture’s $59.16 billion economic impact breaks down:

The direct economic effect of agriculture is $38.8 billion. This figure represents the sales of all farm products and value-added products

Sales of agricultural products create another $13.6 billion in business-to-business purchases for items such as fuel, fertilizer, feed, farm equipment, veterinary services and crop consultants.

This business-to-business activity then generates another $6.7 billion in economic activity, because people who work in agriculture-related businesses spend their earnings.

The Agriculture Industry and its subsystems require a diverse labor force with a wide range of knowledge requirements and skill sets. With a few exceptions, the ag-related industries have average employee compensations above the regional average wage per job.

Sector Efforts

Agriculture Sector Grant

A $309,000 grant will assist in the recruiting and exposing new workers to the agriculture industry broadly and the intersection of the primary system that makes up the modern day agriculture. Intersecting Agriculture systems include: Agribusiness, Animal, Environmental Services, Food Products and Processing, Natural Resources, Plant, Power, Structural and Technical. In addition, the grant will also support efforts to prepare agriculture workers with both the business and technical skills needed to maintain high quality and financially viable operations. This grant was submitted by the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin on behalf of the State of Wisconsin Agriculture Education and Workforce Council. Learn more at www.wiaglink.org

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection

The Future Fields Initiative builds and delivers job readiness and search services to farmers in need of non-farm opportunities. The WIRED investment supports the establishment of local, sustainable peer networks of community resources to assist farmers and also support volunteer training and materials for on-farm delivery of services. Learn more at www.datcp.state.wi.us

Goodman Community Center

Goodman Community Center, East High School, and Madison College created a partnership supporting the educational and hands-on skill development of at least 75 youth in the Agriculture/Culinary job sector, that includes Farming, Food Production, Food Distribution, and Culinary Arts. Students explored ag-related career pathways via curriculum and hands-on activities. Learn more at www.goodmancenter.org

Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition

The Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition (MACSAC) Peer Network delivers coordinated training, resource sharing and networking opportunities to direct market growers. Network members participate in Farm Field Days, Grower Gatherings, farmer-led mentorships and one-on-one consultations. The WIRED investment enabled expansion of these opportunities and created alignments with technical college training programs. The REAP food group (www.REAPFoodGroup.org) is a collaborator. Learn more at www.macsac.org

Southwest Community Action Program

The Agriculture & Agri-Business Peer Network links member farmers with economic development experts, education providers, entrepreneurs and businesses. Training is delivered through a combination of web-enhanced technologies and hybrid delivery methods. Collaborators include UW-Madison, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Madison College, Iowa County Extension, Southwest Regional Planning, Heartwood Farm and Renaissance Farm. Learn more at www.swcap.org

Southwest Community Action Program

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Annie’s Project empowers women to become better farm managers through training and local support networks. With WIRED funds, the program added risk management and entrepreneurship training. Collaborators include University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Blackhawk Technical College, UW Center for Dairy Profitability, and the First National Bank of Platteville. Learn more at www.swtech.edu

University of Wisconsin-Madison

WIRED’s investment in the Beginning Dairy program expanded the offerings of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Farm and Industry Short Course to include business planning coursework, mentoring and distance education. The investment also supported the development of a classroom facilitator guidebook for sustainability of the distance education delivery model. Collaborators include Organic Valley, Farm Service Agency, UW-Extension, UW-Platteville and Town and Country Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. Learn more at www.cias.wisc.edu/dairysch

Videos

Resources

Wisconsin Agribusiness Council (WAC)

A statewide business league dedicated to improving the business environment for agriculture in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

The State's departmental website focusing on Wisconsin's agriculture industry.

Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council (WAEWDC)

Provides an introduction to the broad spectrum of careers, occupations and industries associated with employment in today’s agriculture. Includes information related to potential careers, the knowledge and skills needed to succeed, along with the trends and technologies that are transforming the American agricultural workplace.