About the Holstein Foundation

What We Do

Our Mission

"The Holstein Foundation
educates and develops future leaders
for a vibrant dairy community."

The Holstein Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1989. It is headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, and shares office space with its parent organization, Holstein Association USA, Inc.

The Holstein Foundation's education, leadership development and outreach programs serve both youth and young adults across the country who are involved with all breeds of dairy cattle.

The cornerstone program for young adults is the renowned Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI). Current programs targeting youth ages 9-21 include the popular Dairy Bowl and Dairy Jeopardy competitions. The Foundation also focuses on youth education and outreach activities, offering free educational workbooks, and ribbons for local shows.

Meet Our Board of Trustees

Name

Michele Ruby, Chairman Scio, Oregon	Fir-Ridge Farm

Dr. Chris Keim, Vice Chairman Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin	Sunshine Genetics, Inc.

Matthew E. Iager, DVM, Secretary Boonsboro, Maryland	MD-West-View Genetics & Mid-Maryland Dairy Vets

David Fischer Trenton, Illinois	Retired Dairy Educator

Dieter Krieg Brownstown, Pennsylvania	Farmshine

Jonathan Lamb Oakfield, New York	Oakfield Corners, Holstein Association USA President

John Burket East Freedom, Pennsylvania	Burket Falls Farm, Holstein Association USA Vice President

Nate Janssen Wheaton, Illinois	Vice President of Farmer Relations for Dairy Management Inc

Nick Randle Sterling, Massachusetts	Starlight Genetics

Tim Perotti Louisville, Kentucky	Business Management Consultant

2023 Progress Report and 2022 Annual Report

Download the Holstein Foundation
2023 Progress Report
and 2022 Annual Report

Holstein Foundation History

The Holstein Foundation was founded in 1989, with a mission "to develop and sustain leaders for a changing agriculture." Holstein Association USA endowed the Foundation with a $500,000 gift establishing the Foundation, which was followed by the generous support of over 200 charter donors. M. Duane Green from Elsie, Michigan was the first chairman of the Holstein Foundation Board of Trustees. He poised the organization to fill the void left by government cuts to agricultural and dairy programs.

Since that time, the Holstein Foundation has carried forward, endeavoring to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders in the dairy industry. Several programs have been developed through the years in working towards that goal, including a series of educational workbooks, Dairy Bowl, Dairy Jeopardy and Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI).

Dairy Bowl began as a Junior program for Holstein Association USA. Competitions were first held in 1980 at the National Holstein Convention in Tennessee, with eight teams participating, and Minnesota claiming the first National Dairy Bowl title. As the program closely aligned with the Holstein Foundation's educational goals, the program was taken over by the Foundation, and now has almost 40 teams competing annually at National Holstein Conventions. The Foundation also develops Dairy Bowl programs for other breed organizations.

Wanting to offer a fun and educational competition for youth on an individual basis, Dairy Jeopardy began in 2000, modeled after the popular television game show. This program continues today, with almost 90 youth participating each year.

The Foundation's cornerstone program, Young Dairy Leaders Institute was created with a goal of cultivating top-notch spokespeople for the dairy industry through intensive leadership and personal development training. The first class began in 1994 and graduated 91 individuals. The program continues today with the similar concept of developing dairy leaders for tomorrow, with new classes being held every two years.

Today, the Holstein Foundation continues to provide up-to-date, innovative resources for youth and young adults interested in the dairy industry.