The Professional Dairy Producers Foundation (PDPF) board of directors has made 2014 funding decisions for education projects for dairy producers and their communities.

PDPF is the primary sponsor of Cornerstone Academy, offered by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW), a two-day educational training focusing on developing the "soft skills" of students, dairy producers coming back to the farm and professionals starting their career.

  • The Dairyland Initiative for its work providing the latest scientific and educational resources that dairy producers can use to provide welfare friendly facilities and care for their animals.
  • The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition was awarded funds to enhance its birthing center that reached more than 160,000 people at the New York State Fair.
  • The New York State 4-H Foundation Inc. for the New York State Junior DAIRY LEADER Program, a year-long program that gives teens the opportunity to explore career options in agriculture while building personal, professional and leadership skills.
  • PDPF will continue to support the PDPW Youth Leadership Derby and Dairy Mentor Program, two programs that develop the next generation.
  • It will once again sponsor Agricultural Community Engagement Twilight Meetings and PDPW’s Visible Voice program, a communication training curriculum for dairy producers.

“These programs clearly align with the Foundation's mission,” says Logan Bower, dairy producer and chair of the Foundation Board. “They provide educational resources that build producer professionalism and maintain public trust in what we do.”

PDPF awards grants to non-profit organizations that share its passion and vision for education in dairy communities. Grant dollars are available to those organizations with unique ideas in two focus areas: Building producer professionalism, or maintaining public trust.

The next granting period begins now, with grant applications due June 1. Organizations may apply for grants of up to $5,000. Click here for grant criteria and an application package. PD

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—From PDPF news release