Food + Farm Center hosts agriculture career fair for college students

By Patrick Lynn

PLOVER – The Food + Farm Exploration Center welcomed more than 275 college students and 30 faculty members from across the country on April 28 for a Career Awareness Fair, Coaches Meeting, and Dinner showcasing careers in modern agriculture.

The event coincided with the National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest, which was organized by Dr. Bryant Scharenbroch, an associate professor of soil science and waste resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Designed as an educational opportunity rather than a traditional job fair, the Career Awareness Fair encouraged participating vendors to spotlight a variety of career paths in production agriculture, agribusiness, technology and environmental sciences. Attendees explored job opportunities, seasonal work schedules, degree requirements and wage expectations, while also learning about current openings in the field.

“This event was about more than recruitment—it was about opening students’ eyes to the depth and diversity of today’s ag careers,” said Bobbi Kubish, educational programming director at the Food + Farm Exploration Center.

The event supports the center’s mission to inspire curiosity and learning through the story of food and farming—from the soil to the supper table.

Event sponsors included Tessenderlo Kerley, Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc., SWCA Environmental Consultants, Invenergy and Olsson.

More information about the Food + Farm Exploration Center is available at explorefoodandfarm.org.