KEWAUNEE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Hundreds of middle school students took to the field Thursday to learn about careers in agriculture.
A line of school buses made its way through the 20-acre barn at Kinnard Farms near Casco.
Co-Owner Lee Kinnard tells FOX 11 this 7,200 dairy cow complex is state-of-the-art.
“Technology is the great equalizer that allows farms to be very much like any other career out there.”
From drones to genetics, to computerized security, Ag-Career Day 2018 is designed to attract seventh, eighth and ninth grade school students to fill jobs in the industry.
“It’s phenomenal. It’s just so exciting for them to see this in person. They have no idea until they’re exposed to it,” said Lynn Kroll, Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation.
Kroll tells FOX 11 the 25 presentations are tailored to middle school students.
“Because once they get into high school, they’re going to start taking classes in the area where they need to, to go to school, or to find out what they like.”
So what do the students think of the field trip?
“Awesome. It’s fun. It’s a good experience. There are all new things. There are job opportunities. And learning more about dairy, and how they process the cows,” said Kayla Du Fresne, Kewaunee Middle School Student.
“When I was younger, I just thought it was the farmer, the helpers, and the cows and calves. I didn’t think there was much behind it,” said Shelby Pribek, Kewaunee Middle School Student.
“Working on a farm isn’t just cows and calves and stuff. There’s a lot of stuff that goes into it,” said Jayde Steward, Kewaunee Middle School Student.
A career in agriculture may be a choice that Kinnard says he would welcome..
“We’d love to retain these kids here. Make this their home. Make this their residence. Make this their community of choice.”
This is the fourth Ag-Career Day.
About 700 students from Southern Door, Denmark, Algoma, Kewaunee, and Luxemburg-Casco attended the two-day event.
