Southern Wisconsin Agricultural Group: Hires executive director Nicole Reese, brings extensive ag experience to organization

Contact: Mike Larson, (608) 882-6662

[Evansville, WI] — Plans for an education center focused on agriculture took an important step forward with the hiring of an executive director. Southern Wisconsin Agricultural Group (SWAG), the developer of the planned Agriculture Education and Innovation Complex, has hired Nicole Reese of Janesville as the organization’s first executive director. Her extensive and varied agricultural background will be an asset as SWAG continues the development process.

SWAG is a group of dedicated agricultural business and industry representatives that are working to develop the Agriculture Education and Innovation Complex to be located on 200 acres of land in Evansville, WI. The 200-acre facility will feature an Ag Campus, Expo Center, and Agricultural Discovery Center. The mission of SWAG is to play a proactive role in addressing the challenges facing the future of agriculture. All components of the complex will focus on engaging people in agriculture. That may include developing young adults for careers in agriculture or allowing urban citizens to get “hands-on” while learning about key innovations in the agriculture industry.

“Nicole’s passion for agriculture is evident in all facets of her life. She will be an exceptional addition to our project,” said Mike Larson, of Larson Acres and SWAG Board Chair.

Reese, who currently works as an Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor at Milton High School, is a former Alice in Dairyland who grew up on her family’s 120-cow dairy farm near Sheboygan Falls, WI. She is a 2006 graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison, with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. She is a former Wisconsin State FFA Officer and is currently a member of the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board and the Rock County Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Agriculturist Chair. Reese will begin as SWAG’s executive director on January 20, 2014.

“I am excited for the opportunity to organize and lead the efforts of such an innovative group. The Agriculture Education and Innovation Complex will truly be an asset for Wisconsin’s agriculture industry. I am really looking forward to working with the SWAG board on moving this project forward,” Reese said.

SWAG is just beginning fundraising efforts for the Agriculture Education and Innovation Complex. If you are interested in learning more about and supporting the project, visit our website at www.whyagmatters.com or contact Nicole Reese, SWAG Executive Director at executivedirector@whyagmatters.com.