WSU’s Spark Program Encourages Students to Pursue Careers in Agriculture

Washington State University is encouraging local area students to pursue careers in agriculture through its Spark program.
Washington State University is encouraging local area students to pursue careers in agriculture through its Spark program.

Washington State University is continuing to see success with its Spark program, which is designed to provide teenagers with opportunities to further explore careers in agriculture.

In partnership with Stemilt Growers, the Washington State Tree Fruit Association and the WSU Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, the university developed Spark last fall.

“We wanted to show them that they can use knowledge they’ve gained growing up to have an exciting and lucrative career,” said Kari Sampson, assistant director of recruitment and retention in WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). “We wanted to increase their interest and change their perception of agriculture.”

High school students were able to connect with WSU ag students, meet with WSU research and extension groups, and tour local agricultural facilities through the program. Participants were also able to compete for a scholarship that was redeemable when they attended WSU to pursue an ag-related major.

Since the development of Spark, Sampson says she has seen young adults apply to WSU specifically because of the program.

“It’s exciting to have that kind of direct impact,” she continued.

Jim McFerson, director of the WSU Wenatchee, believes that Spark is a “wonderful” opportunity for local teens to learn more about opportunities in the agricultural industry.

“Thanks to the Spark program, some of these students may eventually work at our center, or enroll at WSU, or find great jobs in ag in our area. Or all of the above,” he said.