The University of Wisconsin – Madison’s Farm and Industry Short Course invites prospective students and their parents to campus on Nov. 30 or Dec. 1 to preview what the program has to offer. High school juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend. The UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) offers the one- or two-year short course program to high school graduates interested in farming or one of Wisconsin’s many other agricultural industries. The program runs from November to April and has an average enrollment of 135 students. The program’s instructional goals emphasize a combination of cutting edge knowledge and hands-on experience, taught by faculty and staff, many of whom also teach in the four-year undergraduate program.
More than 50 courses are offered annually in the areas of soils, crops, dairy, meat animals, general livestock, landscaping, agricultural engineering and agricultural economics. Students may earn a one-year or two-year certificate requiring 20 or 40 credits, respectively, or they may pursue a specialty certificate in one of seven areas: crop and soil management, dairy farm management, farm mechanics, farm service and supply, meat animals, or pasture-based dairy and livestock. Up to 15 credits can be transferred to the CALS four-year degree program.
The preview days will give visitors a chance to tour the campus and attend classes in livestock housing, introductory soil science, farm machinery and farm animal reproduction.
Prospective students can talk to short course staff, current students, house fellows and alumni. They can also tour the Short Course dormitories and learn about the many scholarship opportunities available and the types of careers that short course can lead to.
There is no cost for the Preview Days, but pre-registration by Nov. 22 is strongly recommended. To register online go to http://fisc.cals.wisc.edu under the prospective student link or call (608) 263-3918 or e-mail fisc@cals.wisc.edu PD
—From FISC news release
