Jake Sailer of Sailer’s Food Market and Meat Processing in Elmwood discusses the balancing act between producing new and unique food products while maintaining a reliable supply of successfully branded products.
The UW System Board of Regents has approved a new undergraduate Bachelor of Science program in international food operations management at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF).
This is a first of its kind dual degree program for UWRF involving an international partner, Aeres University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.
“I appreciate the support of the Board of Regents in approving our international food operations management program,” said Dale Gallenberg, UWRF dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. “The program creates unique and exciting opportunities for students who will receive degrees from UWRF and Aeres University.”
While a world away from each other, UWRF and Aeres students will be studying in sync. UWRF students will spend the full third year of the four-year program in the Netherlands, while AERES students will spend the full second year of the program in the U.S.
“The unique program will provide students with expertise and experience in the principles of food processing technology and operations management from both international production and marketing perspectives.” said Agricultural Economics Professor Brenda Boetel. “Experiential learning is a required part of the curriculum and includes internship, work placement, and independent study courses.”
According to UW-River Falls Provost David Travis, the international food operations management program responds to the heightened demand for food business professionals trained to address the reorganization of inputs and supply chain management including the reduction of food waste.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, demand for graduates of this program is expected to be strong with an anticipated 10-year growth rate of 11.5% for food business-related jobs in Wisconsin; annual increases of 5.4% in business and financial operations jobs; and 17.3% in food scientist and technologist jobs.
For more information about the new program, email brenda.boetel@uwrf.edu.