Blackhawk Technical College Hosts Celebration of National Ag Day

Alice in Dairyland Taylor Schaefer tries out the simulator during National Ag Day on Thursday, March 23, at Blackhawk Technical College's Monroe Campus, while Ben Huber, General Manager of Insight FS, and Randy Romanski, Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, look on.

MONROE – Local and state leaders, agriculture industry partners and Blackhawk Technical College instructors and students gathered Thursday to celebrate National Agriculture Day at Blackhawk’s Monroe Campus.

The Wisconsin Technical College System recognizes the vital agriculture sector in Wisconsin each year at one of its 16 campuses to highlight the people who ensure that the ag industry grows and thrives. This year’s event showcased Blackhawk’s agriculture programs and the ag sector in Green County.

“It’s really an exciting time to be involved in agriculture - not just here in Wisconsin but in the world. And we are proud of, as the technical college system, to be a part of every facet of the industry that works to create and grow new opportunities and build upon Wisconsin’s agricultural success,” said Dr. Morna Foy, President of the Wisconsin Technical College System.

Randy Romanski, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, also spoke at the event and emphasized the important role agriculture plays in the state economy as a $104.8 billion industry.

“One in nine people in the state of Wisconsin right now is in a job related to agriculture. Think about that. That is a powerhouse employer in our state,” said Romanski.

And Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk, highlighted the work being done in Green County.

“Green County boasts the highest concentration of cheese producers and master cheese makers in the state. We also boast the first ethanol plant in the state, and we have approximately 1,400 farms in Green County alone,” said Pierner. “That’s a $1.7 billion economic impact, employing over 6,000 people. That’s a big deal.”

The event also featured tours of Blackhawk’s Agriculture Education Center, which included demonstrations of new bovine injection, birthing and ultrasound simulators as well as a commercial sprayer simulator.

Following lunch, which was sponsored by Compeer Financial, industry partner representatives engaged in a panel discussion about how the agriculture industry attracts and retains the next generation of agricultural employees.

Panelists included:

• Ben Huber, Insight FS, General Manager
• Missy Roth, Compeer Financial, Team Leader Human Resources – Talent Management
• Jill Leitzen, Kuhn North America, Director of Human Resources
• Jim Versweyveld, UW-Extension, Farm Management Outreach Specialist
• Micah Ends, Rolling Hills Milk Cooperative, General Manager and Blackhawk Alumni
• Kalee Schaefer, Wegmueller Dairy Farm, Dairy Herd Manager and Blackhawk Student

Attendees also were able to tour local businesses as part of the event, including Kuhn North America, Badger State Ethanol and the Emmi Roth Cheese Factory and Alp and Dell Cheese Store.

Agriculture in Wisconsin By the Numbers

• $104.8 billion industry
• 64,100 farms on 14.2 million acres
• 1 in 9 employees work in the ag industry
• 142 countries receive ag products from Wisconsin

Source: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Ag instructor Andrew Tucker talks to a group during National Ag Day on Thursday, March 23, at Blackhawk Technical College's Monroe Campus.

About the Wisconsin Technical College System

The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) is the coordinating and oversight body for Wisconsin’s 16 public, two-year technical colleges that prepare students to thrive in the face of rapid changes in the workplace, creating economic vitality for individuals, employers and communities throughout the state. About 250,000 students in the state are enrolled at a WTCS school. About 2,000 of those students are in one of the 128 different agriculture-related programs offered.

About Blackhawk Technical College

As one of the 16 technical colleges in Wisconsin, Blackhawk Technical College helps students in Rock and Green counties build their future with a flexible education in a supportive environment. Blackhawk’s Monroe Campus is home to several agriculture programs, including Agribusiness/Science Technology, Farm Business & Production Management and Laboratory Food Science Technician.