We’ve heard it said before that talking agriculture is no longer the job of a few in our industry, but a task we must all embrace to bridge the gap and restart the conversation about farming and food.
About three years ago, a group of University of Wisconsin-Madison students decided it was time to unite agriculture students and focus more attention on reaching out to faculty, fellow students and the Madison community. Those students, along with help from advisors and Farm Bureau members, chartered Wisconsin’s first Collegiate Farm Bureau in October 2010.
Today, the Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter at UW-Madison has nearly 40 active members engaged in everything from campus agriculture promotions to school visits in the Madison area. This spring, we
were elected to serve as president and vice president of our group for the 2013-14 school year.
This blog will provide some insight into what’s on our mind as college students trying to make a difference in the ag community and trying to understand for ourselves the issues that will define our generation of farmers and agriculturists.
Read on to get to know us, and check back often to see what we are up to.
Where are you from?
Taylor Fritsch: I’m a proud Iowa County native of Cobb, Wis.
Taylor Holterman: I grew up just south of Watertown, Wis. in Jefferson County.
Tell us about your family’s farm.
TF: I grew up on Whitson View Farms, my family’s 600-acre dairy operation just outside of Cobb. In addition to milking 70 Holsteins, my parents and grandpa raise dairy steers for beef and market grain.
TH: My parents own and operate Rosy-Lane Holsteins, LLC. They milk almost 900 cows and have two younger business partners involved in the farm.
What are you studying at UW-Madison?
TF: I’m a senior in agricultural economics and life sciences communication. I’m not sure how I feel about being a senior just yet.
TH: I’m a junior studying life sciences communication with a certificate in entrepreneurship.
Outside of Farm Bureau, what are you involved with?
TF: When I’m not working on Collegiate Farm Bureau tasks, I’m serving as marketing team coordinator for the student chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association and chairing Wisconsin’s largest prospect beef cattle show, the Badger Kick-Off Classic.
TH: I’m also the vice president of the Association of Women in Agriculture and a member of Badger Dairy Club.
What would you be studying if you weren’t studying agriculture?
TF: Political science or journalism – the current Farm Bill debate is proof enough that we need to keep up our advocacy in the political arena.
TH: I would be studying business or interior design. You could say I have a wide array of interests!
What’s your favorite spot on campus?
TF: As I’m writing this, I’m sitting at the Memorial Union Terrace, which is a huge favorite of mine.
TH: To study, I love the Van Hise Hall Study Space. For group studying, the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery Town Center works well. To eat, my favorite is Parthenon Gyros on State Street. As for my favorite campus spot overall, I can’t say I have one. You would be able to find me wherever my friends are!
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