FISC Ag Forward, a short course offered by the University of Wisconsin­–Madison’s Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC), took place on the UW–Madison campus on January 22. With programs like Ag Forward, UW–Madison continues to support the important educational needs of Wisconsin’s agriculture industry. During the Ag Forward program, students who are enrolled in FISC at UW–River Falls are hosted on campus for a series of education sessions each winter break. The FISC program was transferred to UW–River Falls in 2023 and today is a 16-week program featuring hands-on training focused on the dairy industry.

Ag Forward sessions included a tour of the Dairy Cattle Center and introductions to the Dairy Innovation Hub and the university’s Agricultural Research Stations.

Melanie Eck, research program manager at the Dairy Cattle Center (DCC), walked the students through the DCC, explaining the breadth of teaching and research that takes place on Madison’s campus. As one of the few universities maintaining a working dairy farm directly on campus, the student could see an up-close look at the operations.

Matt Ruark, professor of soil and environmental sciences and faculty director for the Dairy Innovation Hub, explained how the state-funded research and development partnership between UW–Madison, UW-River Falls and UW-Platteville, helps keep Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy community at the global forefront in producing nutritious dairy products in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

Mike Peters, director of UW–Madison’s Agricultural Research Stations, provided an overview of every station across the state, explaining their unique features, research specialties and employment opportunities.

A networking lunch allowed students to chat with Rachel Zwieg, a FISC alumna, who along with husband Kyle were named National Outstanding Young Farmers.

Other UW–Madison FISC offerings in 2026 include a Beekeeping Short Course and the Turfgrass Apprenticeship Program.