The future of agriculture became a recent focus on Capitol Hill. And Wisconsin FFA leader Jordan Berg was there to be a part of it. The Granton chapter member wanted to be sure students have a voice in this important conversation. Berg serves as the 2026-27 Wisconsin FFA State Reporter. She traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in a National FFA panel discussion focused on strengthening the agricultural workforce. Berg also shared a message about the role education plays in preparing students for careers in the industry.
The discussion brought together FFA student leaders, educators, and agriculture industry representatives to share firsthand experiences on the ways agricultural education is helping address the industry’s growing need for skilled professionals.
Sharing a Wisconsin perspective
The July 22 event was moderated by National FFA President Trey Myers and featured students from across the country who have chosen career paths ranging from agricultural communications and plant sciences to education.
Berg represented Wisconsin alongside state FFA officers from Virginia, Indiana and North Carolina.
The conversation centered on the important ways organizations like FFA help students discover career opportunities while developing leadership, communication, and technical skills employers are looking for right now, and in the future.
Building agriculture’s talent pipeline
Industry leaders participating in the discussion emphasized agriculture depends on a steady pipeline of talented young people entering careers across the food and agriculture system. The students shared how FFA prepares its members for careers in science, engineering, communications, education, public policy and business. These are the fields that continue to grow as agriculture becomes increasingly technology-driven.
The Capitol Hill discussion also highlighted the importance of career and technical education programs in schools and the role in helping students gain hands-on experience before entering college or the workforce.
Continuing the conversation in Washington
The panel was supported by the bipartisan Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus which includes Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin.
The event followed National FFA’s State Officer Summit, where FFA members and agriculture industry representatives met with Senate staff to discuss the importance of agricultural education.
For Berg, representing Wisconsin in the nation’s capital offered an opportunity to share how agricultural education is shaping future leaders. It was also a chance to remind policymakers that investing in students today will only help strengthen the future of American agriculture.
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