BRATTLEBORO, Vermont, April 30, 2020 — Holstein Foundation is excited to announce the release of a new video to educate youth on how to clip their dairy animal for a show. The 15-minute video is available to watch for free on the Holstein Foundation website and YouTube channel.

"We recognize a lot of kids gain their excitement for the dairy industry in the showring. If youth are showing at the county fair for the first time, or looking to refine their technique, we are confident this video will help them gain the skills and confidence they need," says Jodi Hoynoski, Holstein Foundation Programs Manager.

The 15-minute video is narrated with step by step instructions on clipping a dairy show animal from start to finish. It covers the differences between clipping a dairy show heifer or cow, tips on getting tricky spots, which clipper type to use where, and gives a close-up demonstration of useful clipping and fitting techniques.

This new video joins a library of free resources the Holstein Foundation offers, including helpful videos and printed materials on popular topics such as showmanship and dairy judging. They can be found on Holstein Foundation's website, and the videos may also be found on the Holstein Foundation’s YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/HolsteinFoundation.

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

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BRATTLEBORO, Vermont, March 10, 2020 — Chris Keim, DVM, Fort Atkinson, Wis., is the newest addition to the Holstein Foundation board of trustees. The board oversees the direction of the Holstein Foundation's youth and young adult educational and leadership development programs.

"I am honored to be asked to serve on the Holstein Foundation Board. The youth education programs and especially the Young Dairy Leaders Institute are becoming more important as our industry experiences more community relationship challenges, and climate change scrutiny," states Keim.

Keim is a founding partner of Sunshine Genetics, Inc. in Whitewater, Wisconsin. His family roots in the Brown Swiss breed helped to make "Sun-Made" genetics popular. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois where he received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Chris and his partner, Dan Hornickel, DVM, developed their company into a thriving business that performs traditional embryo transfer work, markets embryos worldwide for clients, offers in-house ovum pick up and in vitro fertilization and donor housing. Chris and Dan were named World Dairy Expo's 2018 Industry Persons of the Year.

Chris enjoys golfing, landscaping and trying to breed a better cow, both in the Holstein and Brown Swiss breed. Chris and his wife, Ann, have two daughters, a son, and four grandchildren.

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BRATTLEBORO, Vermont, March 5, 2020 — More than 45 young adults from across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico recently graduated from the Holstein Foundation’s eleventh Young Dairy Leaders Institute class, with Phase III being held February 5-8, 2020 in Phoenix, Ariz. Building on the skills they learned during their first meeting last February, along with what they have practiced and accomplished over the past twelve months, the class participated in workshops covering topics such as advanced media relations skills, conflict management, and the public policy process.

On their final feedback survey, participants were asked to write one sentence about what YDLI meant to them. Following are just a few of the comments that summarize the YDLI experience:

• YDLI has been an impactful experience that has challenged me to go out of my comfort zone and be a lifelong advocate for the dairy industry.
• YDLI has expanded my network as well as my personal skills not only for dealing with telling our story but also skills applicable for taking home to the farm.
• Inspiring and impactful, a program that makes me want to go out and do more. The confidence gained has been unbelievable.

The theme for this YDLI Class was “Ready, Set, Grow.” During the Phase III program, each class member gave a presentation on the leadership and advocacy assignments they completed in their home communities in the past 12 months. Featured guest speakers and workshops included:

• Joan Horbiak conducted advanced media training, focused on mastering interviews with the media and telling dairy’s story to consumers
• Dr. Wes Jamison led a session on conflict resolution, teaching attendees several effective strategies for communicating with others who may have opposing viewpoints. 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, the nation’s largest farm animal rescue organization.
• Pete Kappelman, YDLI Class 1 alum, provided an evening keynote, encouraging class members to use their untapped leadership potential to make an impact. He inspired the class to take on new leadership roles and to get involved in organizations. The next day, he led a workshop on becoming an effective board member.
• Bonnie Burr, YDLI Class 1 alum, led a session on understanding and influencing public policy and gave participants hands-on experience with the policy process.
• Ty Bennett led a powerful closing session, with his talk about "The Power of Influence." His message left the class inspired and feeling empowered to continue their leadership journey and have a lasting influence on those they interact with.

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: Allflex USA, Inc., CHS Foundation, Holstein Association USA, Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc., and Zoetis.

Gold-level sponsors: Cargill, Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancment, Hoard’s Dairyman, Farm Credit, John Deere, and Land O’Lakes, Inc.

Silver-level sponsors: Amaferm – A BioZyme Brand, and Dairy Management Inc.

Bronze-level sponsors: COBA/Select Sires and GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.

Dairy Producer Scholarships are presented on behalf of Center of Dairy Excellence, Dairy Farmers of America, Horace Backus Scholarship Fund, Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, and Robert Cain Scholarship Fund.

Read more about Class 11’s YDLI journey on the official YDLI blog at ydli.blogspot.com!

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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BRATTLEBORO, Vermont, January 23, 2020 — Matt Nuckols, of Beaverdam, Va., has been named the 2020 Young Dairy Leaders Institute Distinguished Alumni Leader by the Holstein Foundation. The Holstein Foundation recognizes one Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) graduate annually who has made noteworthy contributions and applied skills gained during their YDLI experience for the advancement of the dairy industry.

Matt was a graduate of YDLI Class 7, then spent eight years on the YDLI Advisory Committee, assisting in the execution and direction of the program while mentoring class members.

"To be recognized by a program that has given and means so much to me is incredibly humbling. YDLI is the model to duplicate when building a leadership program. The adaptive structure to continually adjust and improve the curriculum from one class to the next is why the YDLI network will continue to lead the dairy industry forward," Nuckols said.

A 2000 graduate of Virginia Tech, Nuckols is the grassroots membership and fundraising specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau. In his role he focuses on membership growth and federation support for county Farm Bureaus. He also works as the fundraising development with a key emphasis on donor expansion to support the mission of Ag in the Classroom. Previously, Nuckols was the manager at Eastview Farm Inc. where he marketed and managed the breeding program for elite dairy genetics.

"So much credit needs to be given to creators and founders of this program for their foresight. I know this program has changed my life and believe it has changed many more. It feels selfish to accept an award from YDLI when it has given me so many skills and lifelong friends. Thank you to every past, present, and future class participant, advisor, foundation board member, and sponsor of YDLI for making me a better leader and person," continued Nuckols.

Nuckols will be recognized during the upcoming YDLI Class 11, Phase 3 program, February 5-8, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Young Dairy Leaders Institute, a program of the Holstein Foundation, 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 benefit of influential leadership.

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