Gamified Dairy: The Escape Room Tackling Farm Shortages

Faced with workforce shortages as experienced professionals retire, DFW's new initiative underscores the need to engage younger generations early through a format that aligns with the digital inclinations of high school students. The escape room spans 30 minutes, requiring teamwork among small groups, and provides an educator guide for school use, showcasing careers like herd nutritionists and farm managers.

This effort not only serves to educate students about dairy-related careers but also integrates critical agricultural knowledge regarding resources like forage and water management, bridging academic theory with practical industry needs. Moreover, the program's digital nature allows it to be widely distributed across Wisconsin without the logistical challenges of traditional outreach methods.

Through this gamified approach, the DFW aims to secure a new generation of talents, aligning with Wisconsin's strong heritage in milk production and emphasizing sustainability, community engagement, and innovation as core values. This initiative is poised to maintain Wisconsin’s leadership in dairy production by replenishing its workforce with motivated and informed young professionals.