Gretchen Kamps does more than just teach agriculture; she lives it every day.

“I think that it is important for students to get a real taste of agriculture, and because I farm myself, I am able to use a lot of practical, everyday experience in the classroom and incorporate many real-life examples into my teaching,” Kamps said.

Kamps, now in her third semester as lecturer for the agriculture department, began her education at UW-Platteville, earning a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education before continuing her schooling at National-Louis University in Wheeling, Ill., where she received a master’s degree in educational administration. Kamps spent three years teaching agriculture at Lake Geneva Badger High School before she married Josh Kamps, alumnus of UW-P, and moved to Belmont to farm and teach at UW-P.

Kamps teaches agribusiness professional development, introduction to agriculture business, and producer and consumer cooperatives. In her three semesters at UW-P, she has earned a reputation for having high expectations of her students and for creating a fun, interactive learning environment in her classrooms.

“She has the gift of teaching,” said Jodi McDermott, assistant dean of the UW-P College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture. “She is always thinking of creative teaching ideas and finding different ways to relate to and engage her students. She has the perfect combination of positive, enthusiastic personality and get-it-done attitude that makes her an effective and dynamic teacher who really prepares her students for their futures.”

“She comes from a farming background and she really knows how to put things into context and relate to her students,” said Bryan Guenther, a sophomore agribusiness major.

Guenther recalls a time when Kamps explained supply and demand curves by making her students stand up and tip their arms back and forth to demonstrate the fluctuating market.

“She presents material in a way that is never dry or dull and I always look forward to her classes,” Guenther said. “I recommend anyone who needs to take an agriculture class to take it with Lecturer Kamps.”

Kamps also works as a research technician and outreach coordinator for the Pioneer Farm. She is currently working on starting new programs in environmental science education for secondary education teachers and creating new sustainable courses for graduate students.

“I want students and the public to look to the farm as a resource and to know that they can come to us for quality programs and research projects that are concerned with the future of agriculture,” Kamps said.

In her free time, Kamps enjoys reading, spending time with her family in Clinton, singing in the local church choir, teaching Sunday school and, of course, farming.

“I love the feeling of accomplishment that you get at the end of the day, whether it is a new litter of pigs, a clean cattle yard or a shed full of hay,” Kamps said. “Even if it is just chores being done, some days that is a great accomplishment.”