Brandt Berghuis, assistant professor of crop science at UW-River Falls, right, speaks Tuesday at Northwood Technical College in New Richmond about the benefits of the Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant program that provides funding for internships for students early in their academic careers. Listening are, left to right, Ryan Edwards from WinField United, Dave Juen of MAC Contractors, and UWRF students Ethan Meissner, August Roach and Megan Culpitt. Photo by Michael Mosher. 
 

UW-River Falls faculty, students join business to support reinstating Fast Forward funding

State-funded program leads to successful outcomes for students and companies, advocates say

Oct. 18, 2023 - Faculty and students at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls joined agriculture industry members Tuesday to advocate for the continuation of a state-funded program that provides valuable internships that benefit students and businesses. 

Brandt Berghuis, assistant professor of crop science at UW-River Falls who helps oversee the Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant program, told attendees of a Winning With Wisconsin event at Northwood Technical College in New Richmond that the program provided students and regional businesses with multiple opportunities. 

In April, Gov. Tony Evers announced that the UW System had been awarded $1.1 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant funding, including $244,426 to UW-River Falls. UW-Stout and UW-Milwaukee also received program funding. However, funding for the program was discontinued when it was not included as part of the 2023-25 state budget approved by state lawmakers earlier this year. 

“At the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, we really do have some of the best students, and it is amazing to see what they can do with opportunities like this,” Berghuis said. “We have had great success working with our students and industry partners. If funding allows, I hope we can continue to create these impactful experiences for our students.”

Others speaking on behalf of the internships provided by Fast Forward Grant funding included UWRF Crop Science Professor Veronica Justen; Dave Juen with Menomonie-based MAC Contractors; UWRF students August Roach, a sophomore agriculture business major from Faribault, Minn.; Megan Culpitt, a junior crop and soil science major from Norwalk; and Ethan Meissner, a junior engineering technology major from Marshfield; and others. Students spoke about how the internships help them learn effectively while linking them to future job opportunities. 

Officials with another regional business that provided internships for UW-River Falls, WinField United, also spoke at Tuesday’s event about the importance of continuing funding for the Fast Forward program. WinField United has a history of partnering with UW-River Falls and earlier this month received a UW System Regents Business Partnership Award. 

Fast Forward grants at UW-River Falls enabled 15 students to participate in internships at eight businesses during the summer and fall. Students typically do internships during their junior or senior years, but Fast Forward-funded internships were focused on internships for first- and second-year students, enabling them to obtain valuable hands-on experience early in their academic careers. 

In addition to providing internships, Fast Forward grants developed additional links with businesses that can lead to future job opportunities for students, Berghuis said. 

Holly Dolliver, soil science and geology professor, headed the Fast Forward Grant program at UWRF. She said the grants provided not only high-level student internships but created opportunities for participating businesses to conduct valuable research that can improve their products. Program funding also enabled UW-River Falls to expand its connections with regional companies, she said. She praised businesses, particularly WinField United, for their work with students.  

“This funding provided an opportunity to expand opportunities and create unique internship experiences in areas [Winfield United] has not previously focused on, including business development and new technologies,” she said. “In addition, the funding encouraged them to hire students in program areas outside of what has been typical, increasing the potential pipeline of students.”