Julie Veldhuis Lund Wendell, Idaho Member National Dairy Promotion and Research Board
What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I am responsible for all the books on the dairy (V and L Dairy) so I feel I have good budget skills. We also participate in hedging and marketing decisions at our dairy and I am very involved in that.
Not only am I in the dairy industry, I am also a mother of four. Because I am in the grocery store looking at our dairy products from that perspective, I can bring those insights to the position.
Please describe your agricultural background.
I was born and raised on a dairy in California and then New Mexico. Growing up I was very active on the dairy with the day-to-day activities. I exited the dairy business in 1980 and I re-entered it in 1989 after relocating to Idaho.
What are your new responsibilities as a board member?
First, this gives us an additional Idaho representative on the board and I am very proud to represent the producers of our state. That is a huge honor and responsibility that I look forward to. Additionally, I will serve on the board’s finance committee and the research and insights committee.
What previous experience/roles led to this appointment?
I have been a member of the United Dairymen of Idaho board of directors for the past five years. I serve as vice chair of the Idaho Dairy Products Commission as well as chairman of the Protect and Promote committee.
What excites you most about working in your new role?
Well, I’m excited about all aspects of it. I look forward to the opportunity to have some national input in how the checkoff dollars of my fellow dairy farmers are being spent.
I like to think outside the box. Whenever you start settling for things, that’s when we stop moving forward. There’s always a new process being created or a new direction to follow that can help us, so that really excites me.
Why did you choose to accept this appointment?
I think I have a lot to offer. I have a good understanding of our industry and what would be a good direction for our industry to follow and I’m not afraid to say it. I’ve played a leadership role all of my life. I work well with others and I think I’d be a good asset to the national board.
What goals would you like to accomplish while in this role?
I’m not going in with one goal. I want to protect Idaho’s place in the dairy industry and help make sure we are always pursuing the best opportunities possible for our checkoff dollars. I love dairy research and I was very happy to get on the research and insights committee. PD
