Farm and Industry Short Course returns to UW-River Falls
Oct. 7, 2025 – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls will again host the Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC), a 16-week residential program that provides world-class, hands-on training targeting the skills and knowledge students need to know to step into the dairy industry. The program begins October 27 and runs through March 13, 2026, with a holiday break away from campus.
The UWRF campus offers ample opportunity for hands-on learning with two lab farms, a dairy pilot plant and a meat processing plant. Students will earn college credits that can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree at UWRF or transferred elsewhere.
The courses will emphasize animal management, including animal health and welfare, nutrition, reproductive physiology and milk quality, and will also include an introduction to basic business management and accounting.
“The Farm and Industry Short Course is a good choice for students who want to gain practical, hands-on experience in dairy and agricultural industries without committing to a full four-year degree,” said Steve Kelm, professor of dairy science and director of the FISC program. “We’ve designed the curriculum to be immersive and immediately applicable, giving students the tools they need to succeed in today’s evolving ag landscape.”
Students enrolled in the program will live in UWRF residence halls and enjoy the same privileges as four-year students. They can join clubs and participate in campus recreation activities and will have free admission to all campus athletic facilities and events and reduced admission to other events such as theater performances.
To learn more about the FISC program at UWRF, visit uwrf.edu/academics/FISC, call 715-425-3704 or email Steve Kelm at steven.kelm@uwrf.edu.