APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – As Tuesday was recognized as National Ag Day, Fox Valley Technical College celebrated by highlighting the diversity in its Agriculture programs.
The college has seen a 26% increase in female enrollment in its 38 Ag-related programs over the past three years. In 2018-19, 28% of Ag students were female. In 2020-21, 54% are female.
“Women have been able to enter several of the animal care fields (Dairy Herd Manager, Large Animal Veterinarian) due to advancements in animal handling facilities and animal care practices,” said Lori Nagel, department chair for Agribusiness. “What was once viewed as a physical barrier to many women, are no longer standard practices. Students today are able to see themselves in these roles now more than ever.”
That includes students like Jodie Weyland, who grew up in the industry on her family farm in Neenah.
“Diversity and inclusion is a hot topic and seeing the agriculture industry grow in this area is interesting,” Weyland noted in a press release. “During a recent internship, it was rewarding for me—as a female in agriculture—to be asked for my professional opinion in a male-dominated business.”
FVTC cites one of the reasons for the growth has been the addition of the Veterinary Technician program, which is a female dominated field. However, the college says the growth of female enrollment in the Agribusiness area can be attributed to female role models in agriculture today.
Weyland is studying Agribusiness Science & Technology – Agronomy.
“While it seems intimidating being a woman in [agriculture], it really isn’t as bad as it seems. I think it’s a matter of creating your goals and going for them – and taking that opportunity to be the best that you can,” Weyland said.
The best part of bringing that diversity to the industry, Weyland says, is the expanded growth of ideas being introduced.
“It brings a wider range of ideas and those ideas ultimately lead to greater advances in technology,” Weyland told WTAQ News. “Specifically in the agriculture field, greater studies in agriculture and allowing that advancement in technology ultimately creates a better environment for farmers to work in and it create a better environment, in general, for everyone.”
This is the 48th anniversary of National Ag Day. Agriculture continues to be an important sector in Wisconsin, contributing $104.8 billion annually to our state’s economy and 437,700 jobs.
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