The Southern Wisconsin Agricultural Group (SWAG) announces the launch of the 2016 Agriculture Programming Initiative focused on agricultural education for consumers, students and producers. The importance of Wisconsin's agricultural industry and the need for agriculture to continue as a main economic driver in the state is fueling the Initiative. Today's youth, leaders and consumers need to be aware of the agricultural advances, opportunities and related benefits.Rob McConnell, SWAG Education Committee Chair predicts, "By facilitating and providing this needed agriculture programming, SWAG can make an immediate impact on students, producers, employees and consumers." SWAG programming will foster open lines of communication between consumers and agriculture experts, thus serving as a positive ambassador for the agriculture industry.
Monthly consumer and producer programming will be centered in Watertown, WI, with the majority being held in classrooms at Bethesda Lutheran Communities Campus. Bethesda, a non-profit organization that provides homes and services to adults with developmental disabilities, began 112 years ago and has a history in agriculture. Mike Thirtle, President and CEO of Bethesda, shared, "Our partnership with SWAG is, in a way, nostalgic for Bethesda. We have roots in agriculture and appreciate their initiative to educate various audiences on the cultural and economic benefit of the agriculture industry." John David, Watertown Mayor, appreciates SWAG bringing agriculture programming to the area. "Watertown is a strong agriculture community. We welcome SWAG and look forward to others visiting our community for agriculture programs."
In addition to consumer programming, the SWAG Education Committee has identified the need for youth Agricultural Education and Career Exploration. Focusing on high school students, four events in multiple locations are planned in 2016. Two committee members share their views on the need for student focused agriculture opportunities. Stacy Skemp, Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at Milton High School, shares "I am excited about the opportunities that SWAG can provide to students. There is a strong need to expose students to agriculture careers beyond the traditional, to address the skilled agriculture worker shortage. Students and teachers want to learn more about drones, GPS and new technology that agriculture companies are currently using in their daily businesses." Also, Jillian Beaty, Agriculture Education Instructor at Oregon High School, explains "I am looking for SWAG to showcase programming focused on agriculture careers and technology that schools are not providing due to time and tight budgets. Using local agriculture leaders and researchers, I believe SWAG can provide innovative classes at a reasonable cost in a convenient location that students and teachers will want to attend."
As the SWAG Executive Director, Ann McDonald is passionate about agriculture and education. "I see the need to educate consumers about agriculture as well as exposing students to the diverse careers in agriculture. By collaborating with other agriculture organizations and companies, we can increase the exposure and audience while making an immediate impact."
For more information on SWAG, please visit www.whyagmatters.com and Facebook page SWAG Southern Wisconsin Agricultural Group.
The Southern Wisconsin Agricultural Group (SWAG) was formed with a vision to ensure a continuum of agricultural engagement focused on protecting the cultural and economic benefit of all aspects of agriculture. Our main objective is to offer educational opportunities for people to become more engaged in agriculture.
12.07.2015