BRATTLEBORO, Vt., November 20, 2018 – The Holstein Foundation is excited to announce a new workbook, “Connecting with Dairy Consumers.” This new workbook aims to help youth, their parents and dairy project leaders communicate with consumers about dairy farming. “Connecting with Dairy Consumers” identifies key messages and ideas to be an “agvocate,” connect with consumers and promote the dairy industry and its products. Sharing the dairy story with others will help create a deeper understanding and a positive image for the dairy industry.

The Holstein Foundation provides a series of free, educational workbooks available to download online. “Showring Ready” and “Dairy Judging” are the most popular topics, but resources are also provided on topics ranging from dairy nutrition and reproduction to genetics. To download the workbook for free, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org/education/workbooks.html.

Each year, the Holstein Foundation’s workbooks are downloaded by thousands of people around the globe. Donations to the Holstein Foundation’s youth education and outreach efforts help make them possible.

With questions, contact Kelli Dunklee at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124, or by email. Visit www.holsteinfoundation.org/education/workbooks.html to download online.

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BRATTLEBORO, Vt., July 18, 2018 – Acme, Michigan, hosted the 2018 National Holstein Convention June 29 through July 3, where youth had the opportunity to show off their dairy knowledge in Dairy Bowl, Dairy Jeopardy and Dairy Knowledge Exam.

Dairy Bowl

Teams of four compete head-to-head to see who can buzz in first to answer questions related to the dairy industry. A total of 27 teams competed in two divisions. After several rounds of competition, Iowa beat out all other competitors in the Junior and Senior Divisions of Dairy Bowl. The Junior Division (ages 9-15) championship round came down to teams from Pennsylvania and Iowa. Iowa Junior team consists of Louis Hamlett, Trenton Hammerand, Naomi Scott, and Brynlee Volker. Senior division (ages 16-21) finalists consisted of teams from Wisconsin and Iowa. Iowa’s Senior team consisted of Nathan Arthur, Amanda Dougherty, Mary Scott, and Brylie Volker. Both teams were coached by Jeff Hammerand.

J. George and Anna Smith Sportsmanship Awards

One team in each Dairy Bowl division is awarded for exemplifying principles of courtesy, friendliness and team spirit throughout the competition. Missouri was honored as the Junior Division honorees, with team members Roper Voskamp, Colton Kleiboeker, Sophie Geppert, Amanda Brooks coached by Shannon Kleiboeker. In the Senior Division, the award went to the Pennsylvania team, consisting of Ayla Blatt, Anthony Hix, Morgan Kunkel, and Stephanie Younker and coach Melanie Younker.

Dairy Jeopardy

More than 75 participants, broken into three divisions, competed in Dairy Jeopardy. Based on the popular TV game show, youth compete individually, answering dairy industry-related questions and wagering points, testing not only their industry knowledge but their critical thinking and risk management skills. The top three individuals in each division were:

Junior Division
1st place, Rachel Craun of Virginia

Intermediate Division
1st place, Hayley Fernandes, California
2nd place, Jacob Fernandes, California
3rd place, Ryan Allen, Maryland

Senior Division
1st place, Logan Potts, Virginia
2nd place, Brock Irwin, Illinois
3rd place, Erin Norris, Massachusetts

Dairy Knowledge Exam

The Dairy Knowledge Exam is open to any youth attending the National Junior Holstein Convention who wants to put their brain to the test with a 25-question written test. The winners of each age division are:

Junior Division (ages 9-15 as of January 1)
1st place: Kristen Houser, Pennsylvania
2nd place: Carolina Arrowsmith, Pennsylvania
3rd place: Jacob Craun, Virginia

Senior Division (ages 16-21 as of January 1)
1st place: Marie Haase, Wisconsin
2nd place: Ayla Blatt, Pennsylvania
3rd place: Hailey Clausen, Wisconsin

For more information about Holstein Foundation youth programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org, or contact Kelli Dunklee, youth programs specialist, at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124.

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BRATTLEBORO, Vt., July 16, 2018 – The Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI), a cornerstone program of the Holstein Foundation, is a nationally recognized three-phase leadership and communication skills development program for young adults (ages 22-45) working in the dairy industry. The first class of YDLI was held in 1994, and the program now boasts over 600 graduates.

Dairy producers working with all breeds of dairy cattle, and allied dairy industry members, are encouraged to apply. YDLI Class 11 will have on-site meetings in Phoenix, Ariz. February 6-9, 2019 and February 5-8, 2020. Applications are due August 1, 2018 and may be downloaded from the Holstein Foundation website, www.holsteinfoundation.org.

Dairy producers that apply for YDLI are automatically eligible for several full-ride scholarships. If selected, the scholarships will cover the registration fee, airfare, hotel and any other travel costs associated with attending both the 2019 and 2020 meetings.

The Horace Backus YDLI Scholarship is for one dairy producer from anywhere in the U.S. This fund was created by Tim Abbott, Frank Conyngham, Joel Hastings and Dave Rama to honor Horace’s legacy and encourage dairy producers to attend YDLI.

The Pennsylvania Dairyman’s Association and the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence are providing scholarships for two Pennsylvania dairy producers.

The Robert L. Cain Memorial Scholarship will be given to one dairy producer in the Southeast region. Cain served as a field representative and then Area Manager for Holstein Association USA for 40 years.

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is sponsoring a scholarship for a dairy cooperative member. DFA has been a long time YDLI supporter, and encourages their cooperative members to apply.

Visit www.holsteinfoundation.org to download the YDLI Class 11 application, as well as view more detailed information on the program. With questions or for more information, contact Jodi Hoynoski via email, or 800.952.5200, ext. 4261.

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BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 5, 2018 – Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) is the cornerstone program of the Holstein Foundation. YDLI is a nationally recognized three-phase leadership and communication skills development program for young adults working in the dairy industry. YDLI's three-phase approach ensures participants develop necessary leadership skills, apply those skills in real-life scenarios, and then focus on the benefits of influential leadership.

YDLI has over 600 alumni that can attest to its merit. The Holstein Foundation is seeking young adults, ages 22-45, with a passion for the dairy industry to apply for the upcoming eleventh YDLI class. Applications are due August 1, 2018 and may be downloaded from the Holstein Foundation website at www.holsteinfoundation.org.

Recent graduate Ashley Sears Randle says, “From dynamic presenters and workshops, to the opportunity to network with individuals from the U.S. and world, YDLI reaffirmed and re-energized my passion for the dairy industry. I am now better equipped to tackle the tough questions, share my story with consumers, and work collaboratively with my fellow YDLI Class 10 graduates, advisory board, and allied industry members to affect positive change. We have both the opportunity and challenge to make forward progress as our industry continues to evolve, and I am confident that YDLI has provided me with the skills, knowledge, and connections to make a significant impact."  

Dairy producers working with all breeds of dairy cattle, and allied dairy industry members, are encouraged to apply. YDLI Class 11 will have on-site meetings in Phoenix, Ariz. February 6-9, 2019 and February 5-8, 2020.

Phase I is focused on individual leadership and personal development. During Phase II, participants complete a series of assignments in their community, which emphasizes the advocacy and outreach skills gained during Phase I. Phase III features sessions on advanced communications training, influencing public policy and continued advocacy and leadership. Throughout the program, an emphasis is placed on networking with industry peers, a benefit that carries on long after a YDLI class is complete.

“The greatest thing I see YDLI graduates take away is a boost in confidence. We challenge them to do some things they never have before, and when they achieve their goals, it lights a fire in them to do more,” Jodi Hoynoski, Holstein Foundation staff, states.

Join the growing group of individuals who call YDLI the opportunity of a lifetime! Visit www.holsteinfoundation.org to download the YDLI Class 11 application, as well as view more detailed information on the program. With questions or for more information, contact Jodi Hoynoski via email, or 800.952.5200, ext. 4261.

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BRATTLEBORO, Vt., February 13, 2018 – Holstein Foundation welcomes new trustee, Dieter Krieg, of Brownstown, Pa., to their board which oversees the direction of the Holstein Foundation's youth and young adult educational and leadership development programs.

"Being invited to serve as a Holstein Foundation Trustee is an honor not to be taken lightly,” Krieg says. “I am hoping to perhaps make a small, positive difference in the lives of those who will inherit our beloved dairy industry. I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

For all of his 73 years, Dieter Krieg has been a farm boy at heart. Born in Germany, he came to the United States as a 10-year old boy and enjoyed life growing up with Registered Holsteins®. A Penn State graduate with a degree in dairy science, he always thought he would follow his father as a dairyman and Registered Holstein breeder.

But that changed in the Spring of 1974 when he pursued the dream of finding his own farm by way of becoming a farm editor. Strange as it sounds, the idea was to meet an older dairyman at a DHIA or Holstein club meeting who had a vacancy at his farm for a younger fellow.

Dieter started working as a farm editor in State College, Pa. He found the work so enjoyable that the original dream began to fade even on the first day. Fifteen months later, he was offered the position of editor at Lancaster Farming. During his four-years there, the paper grew from 64 pages to 200 pages.

In September of 1979 he started his own publication, Farmshine, which he continues to own, edit and publish to this day. The paper has a weekly circulation of just under 16,000, with subscribers in all 50 states.

For more information on the Holstein Foundation and the programs offered, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org, or contact Jodi Hoynoski at 800.952.5200, ext. 4261 or by email.

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Holstein Foundation Graduates Young Dairy Leaders Institute Class 10

BRATTLEBORO, Vt., February 6, 2018 – Fifty-one young adults from across the United States, Mexico, and Canada took part in Phase III of Holstein Foundation’s tenth Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) class held January 31 – February 3 in Phoenix, Ariz.

YDLI participants engaged in in-depth workshops covering topics of advanced media relations skills, conflict management, and the public policy process. They cultivated skills they gained during Phase I, along with what they have practiced and accomplished over the past twelve months to become effective spokespeople and advocates for the dairy industry with consumers and media.

The theme for this YDLI Class was “Charting Your Course.” In addition to hearing presentations from every class member about their Phase II advocacy projects, the Phase III session featured speakers and workshops including:

• Ty Bennett delivered a keynote about the "Power of Influence." His message left the class encouraged and feeling motivated to continue charting their course for lasting influence on people they interact with.
• Bonnie Burr, YDLI Class 1 graduate and 2004 YDLI Distinguished Alumni Leader, led a session on understanding public policy and had participants see how they could be more involved in the governmental process.
• Joan Horbiak presented “Leading Out Loud” which focused on conquering interviews with the media, handling consumer questions, and sharing their dairy story.
• Dr. Wes Jamison led a workshop on conflict management that focused on understanding conflict sources and styles. Dr. Jamison also moderated a session with guest Gene Baur on the topic of animal welfare. Baur is the president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, nation’s largest and most effective farm animal rescue and protection organization. 
• Pete Kappelman, Holstein Foundation board of trustees’ chairman and 2001 YDLI Distinguished Alumni Leader, conducted a workshop, “Get Ready to Run…For the Board!”, that taught participants about gaining confidence in their leadership abilities in a board setting.

The Holstein Foundation and Young Dairy Leaders Institute participants would like to sincerely thank the many gracious sponsors who made the experience possible.

Platinum sponsors include Allflex USA, Inc.; CHS Foundation; Holstein Association USA, Inc.; Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation; and Zoetis.

Gold-level sponsors were Cargill Animal Nutrition; Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.; DairyBusiness Communications; Dean Foods Foundation; Deere & Company; Farm Credit Council; Hoard’s Dairyman; and Land O’Lakes, Inc.

Silver sponsors were Dairy Management, Inc. and Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement.

Bronze-level sponsors included Ag Inspirations, LLC; COBA/Select Sires; GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.; Merial Ltd.; and Paul Mueller Company.

Read more about Class 10’s YDLI journey on our official YDLI blog, www.ydli.blogspot.com. A complete list of the graduating dairy leaders can be found below.

• Front row (l-r): Jessica Peters, Shannon Seifert, Lindsey Woodrum Reddish, Melanie Herman, Shawna Weller, Amy Yeiser Leslie, Andrea Dicke, Alexa Cabral, Regina Grover, Ariane France, Patricia Gilbert, Carolyn Abbott, Kelsey Flowe, Courtney Halbach, Rebecca Shaw
• Middle row (l-r): Pete Serne, Benjamin Newberry, Mandy Schmidt, Amanda Mitchelltree, Emma Watry, Amanda Waite, Brandon Thesing, Mitch Kappelman, Jessica May, Corey Kayhart, Alejandro Torres, Michael Azevedo, Mary Faber, Rayne Ives, Maija Haggith, Adam Geiger, Katherine Nissen, Lindsey Rucks, Nick Randle, Ellie Fleming
• Back row (l-r):  Daren Sheffield, Erin Carter, Amanda Hauck, Aaron Harris, Ashley Sears Randle, Lyndsey Frey, Brandon Kruswick, Maggie Seiler, David Pyle, Marco Juarez, Michael Oosten, Holley Weeks, Alena Pacheco, Heather Hunt, Tera Baker, and Jacob Pieper

Applications for YDLI Class 11 will be due August 1, 2018. With questions or for more information about YDLI, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org, or contact Holstein Foundation Programs Manager Jodi Hoynoski at 800.952.5200, ext. 4261 or by email.

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