5 Minutes with Langlade County’s Mary Fronek

[Link]Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a department chair for agribusiness, agronomy and animal science for Fox Valley Technical College. I have been teaching at FVTC in the agriculture department for seven years. In addition to teaching, I operate a cash crop, commercial vegetable farm with registered Simmental cow-calf pairs and registered Texel sheep with my family. My hobbies include riding our registered Quarter Horses and competing in obedience and rally trials with our Australian Cattle Dogs.

What do you enjoy most about your career in agriculture? Why?

I really enjoy connecting with the next generation. Every student has a unique connection to agriculture and for many of us we know how challenging it can be to work in the agriculture industry let alone get started in the industry. I enjoying hearing their passion for agriculture and being able to support individuals along the way.

What is a success in your agriculture career that you are most proud of?

At FVTC I coordinate our agriculture internship. On average I oversee 40 students across our agriculture programs and visit with each of the industry hosts within a year. Many times, students would reach out to me looking for assistance to line up an internship or looking for long-term employment. Looking to connect our student with potential employers in a more efficient way, I organized an agriculture job fair. Our first year we had 20 employers from across Wisconsin. Today, the job fair has grown to 40 employers with over 100 students and community members participating. It is great to see the students connect with the employers during the job fair and then reach out to me afterwards to share how they were able to align an internship or career. We only have students for a short period of time; the job fair sets them up for long term success.

What is a Farm Bureau experience that you are most proud of and why?

Many years ago, I attended the Wisconsin FFA Farm Forum Conference. This event would be part of the driving force for me to later join my county Farm Bureau and be appointed the YFA chair. The FFA Farm Forum conference had amazing speakers on how to develop leadership skills and be engaged in your community.

What are some of the challenges you face in your career in agriculture and how do you handle them?

Agriculture is constantly evolving with new technologies, sustainability practices and policies. Staying up to date with these advancements can be overwhelming but is crucial for preparing students for real-world careers. I strive to attend all our advisory committees at FVTC who are made up of industry professionals, staying active in organizations like Farm Bureau and the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association as well as attending conferences and workshops. I am also fortunate to live on a diverse farming operation where I am able to put a lot of new technologies into practice.

Why are you proud to be a Farm Bureau member?

I am Farm Bureau proud because I can be a grassroots advocate for our agriculture industry.

What is something that most Farm Bureau members would not know about you? Explain.

I genuinely enjoy updating policies and procedures. Our annual review is something that I look forward to.

What advice do you have for new Farm Bureau members or those looking to get more involved?

I recommend going to your county Farm Bureau's annual meeting. Hear about their updates and events they hosted in the past year and join where you can in future events.

This article orginally appeared in the 2025 August | September Rural Route issue.