Young dairy professionals recognized at summit

18 young professionals awarded scholarships to attend 2019 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit

Eighteen young professionals were awarded scholarships to attend the 2019 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, held Feb. 4–6 at the Lancaster Marriott in Lancaster, Pa. The Young Professional Scholarships were awarded by the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, Center for Dairy Excellence and Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania to grow both the skills and network of Pennsylvania dairy’s next generation.

Individuals who attended the Summit through the Young Professionals Scholarship included Allyson Anderson, Casi Blickley, Lea Breden, Rachael Cassel, Caitlyn Degner, Dylan Dietz, Amy Kraus, Mary Lawrence, Jaylene Lesher, Emma Loch, Bob Long, Michael Morgan, Adrienne Peters, Colton Pifer, Lindsey Smith, Stephanie Takitch, Cara Trotter and Danielle Varner.

The scholarship winners were paired with a mentor throughout the week and attended a pre-Summit Young Professionals reception that featured three individuals who had pursued dairy careers sharing what they learned through their career journey. The three panelists who spoke during the reception included Ed Facer with Star Rock Dairy, Harrison Hartman of Scattered Acres and Grayson Smith with Land O’Lakes, Inc.

“The Pennsylvania Dairy Summit was a great avenue for students, young farmers and those just beginning their professional career within dairy to network with industry professionals and other dairy farmers throughout Pennsylvania,” said Brittany Haag, dairy education program manager for the Dairy Excellence Foundation, who coordinated the Young Professionals’ involvement in the Summit. “These bright, young individuals who attended Summit are the future of the dairy industry ready and eager to continue their path toward leading tomorrow’s dairy industry.”

Those interested in attending the 2020 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit through the Young Professionals Scholarship should look for applications to be released in November 2019. Individuals either attending college or working on dairy farms between the ages of 17 to 25 are eligible to apply. The 2020 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit will be held on Feb. 4–6, 2020, at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, Pa.