Wisconsin Agricultural Youth Council Helps High School Seniors Network and Plan for Future Careers
In partnership with: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
High school seniors across Wisconsin are getting a head start exploring careers in the agriculture industry with the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council. Created in 2020 by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council is made up of 15 high school seniors who are interested in various sectors of the state’s agriculture industry. The Council meets virtually every month to allow students from across the state to participate from the comfort of their own homes.
“We are excited to find more ways to connect with youth interested in careers in Wisconsin’s agribusiness economy, and we feel confident that our own employees and programs help illustrate opportunities for diverse career paths,” says Angela James, former deputy secretary for the Wisconsin DATCP. “The Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council is a valuable way for DATCP to share more with young people about our programs and encourage students to engage in agriculture at the state level and beyond. The council also provides an opportunity for students to network with each other and industry leaders to learn more about the variety of agricultural careers available.”
Council members get a unique perspective on government and its role in agriculture. Sessions cover a wide variety of topics, including animal health, land and water resources, marketing, and more.
Discovering Opportunities in Agriculture
East Troy High School senior Mary Schrieber, 18, was a member of the Council for the 2021-2022 academic year and says the experience was “really eye-opening.”
“I have no traditional ag background since I grew up in the suburbs, but I’m involved in FFA and interested in ag policy and becoming an ag lawyer,” Schrieber says. “My FFA advisor encouraged me to apply for the Council. It’s been an amazing experience meeting with ag industry experts and officials, and getting to ask them questions and build relationships.”
Schrieber plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in fall 2022 and major in political science with an agriculture emphasis. In addition to career exposure, the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council connected her with her roommate, whom she met while serving together.
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“I’m so thankful for the organizers of this program. It’s a great opportunity for upcoming seniors to understand agriculture is so much wider than they may know,” Schrieber says. “I didn’t have a broad understanding of the ag industry, so it’s been incredibly valuable to explore careers in different sectors, as well as internship opportunities. I’d like to intern at the Capitol when I go to UW-Madison, and I’m really excited to apply for it.”
Hannah Dahl was a member of the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council during its inaugural year in 2020-2021 before attending the University of Notre Dame.
“The experience was truly once in a lifetime. Every month there was a different theme geared towards our specific interests, including health inspections, plants, invasive species and animal health issues,” Dahl says. “The department brought in leading professionals within these sectors to talk to us. I learned a lot from these presentations, especially about different careers within agriculture.”
At the University of Notre Dame, Dahl is studying economics with a minor in constitutional studies. She hopes to use her degree to work in agriculture policy either with the state or federal government or with a private company.
“I hope I can use my education to help the agricultural community,” Dahl says. “That’s also what drew me to the Council – it gave me the opportunity to learn more about the intersection of the state government and agriculture. It was a highlight of my senior year.”
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How to Apply for the Council
To become a member of the Wisconsin Agriculture Youth Council, high school juniors must complete a self-nomination form sharing their experience and skills along with a brief essay, letter of recommendation and a one-minute video describing why they wish to join the Council. They also must submit one question they hope to be able to answer at the end of their term.
“The Council is a great opportunity for DATCP to connect with young people who are passionate about agriculture and their future careers,” says Angela James, former deputy secretary. “The council brings DATCP employees’ attention to the curiosity, priorities and goals these young leaders offer.”
For more information, email DATCPAgYouthCouncil@wisconsin.gov.