A month after obtaining the position of Director of Agriculture Marketing, Recruitment, and Outreach, Grant Will faces his first major task. He will be networking with prospective Future Farmers of America (FFA) students at their national convention in Louisville, Ky. Oct. 28-31.

Over 60,000 students are expected to attend. Will’s goal is to make connections with these students and industry representatives.

“I’m also looking forward to making connections with agriculture businesses and learning about other institutions with agriculture programs,” Will said.

With his new role, Will’s main objective is growing the enrollment and awareness of SMSU’s School of Agriculture, which was permanently established July 1, 2014.

“I’ll be working to elevate the profile of our School of Agriculture through marketing and outreach,” Will said. “We have great faculty, valuable community support, and a vibrant campus where students are set up for success, so I’ll be building on that foundation.”

Will’s interest in agriculture stemmed from growing up on his parents’ dairy farm, which is still in operation. He has degrees in sociology and speech communication: radio-TV.

Will attended Ridgewater College before transferring to Southwest Minnesota State University, where he graduated in 2006.

“I liked the fact that there was a low faculty-to-student ratio and was drawn to the vibrancy of the campus,” Will said.

Before taking on the position at SMSU, Will was a social studies teacher and a coach. Will was also the Lyon County 4-H Program Coordinator, where he received recruitment and outreach experience.

“It is an exciting time in the agriculture industry where there is a confluence of creating a positive social impact while earning a wage that will support a family,” Will said. “Agriculture is the lifeblood of our economy, and maintaining a consistent supply of prepared workers for the wide variety of ag-related business is critical.”

Will credits two Ridgewater professors for encouraging him to pursue his sociology degree. He also says SMSU professors Dr. Vicky Brockman and Dr. Lloyd Petersen spurred his curiosity and passion for making a positive community impact.

“I’m proud to work for my alma mater because I’m now part of the team that I respected so much during my undergrad,” Will said. “I also am honored to have this important position which allows me to make a positive impact in the lives of our students and the larger community.”