How do we encourage the most enthusiastic of every new generation to invest their talents and passions into the dairy and agriculture industries? Volatile markets, changing consumer trends and new technologies have amplified in unprecedented ways the need for highly trained, motivated, forward-thinking leaders. Not only do we need world-class talent, we have a vast array of practical and technical fields in which to employ it.
See the need
Agriculture today demands thought leaders in human resources, finance, law, marketing, IT and technology. On top of that, our industry is experiencing rapid growth and conducting ongoing research in such studies as environmental and animal science, nutrition, agronomy, precision agriculture and more. Being involved in dairy is no longer equivalent to solely milking cows, feeding calves or driving a tractor. It’s so much more than that.
With tightening labor markets across the country, our industry faces increasing competition for the gifts and skills of the next generations. It’s up to the rest of us to inspire, encourage, mentor and support the incoming flock.
Fill a need
Professional Dairy Producers Foundation (PDPF), also known as Dairy’s Foundation, has been working for nearly 20 years to attract, support and cultivate the future of the dairy industry. We fund programs around the country to bolster the next generation from youth through all their subsequent career stages. Our goal is to ensure the right resources are available at the right times across all ages and stages of career development.
Leaders aren’t born; they are developed. The students in your rural community today are the future leaders of our farms, businesses, communities, schools, churches and governments. In a world of advancements in technology, globalization, international unrest and humanitarian issues, they face both tremendous opportunities and obstacles in their path to a career and leadership. The foundation is committed to supporting programs that will help young people discover their passions and build the skills they’ll need to thrive, no matter what the future holds.
The PDPW Stride Youth Leadership Conference is designed for high school students ages 15 to 18 who are looking to enhance and excel in their leadership skills while preparing for the future. In 2022, the one-day program will be held April 2 at Kalahari Resorts, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
The needs of today’s high school students are different than they were 10 years ago. As the world changes, the skill sets our young adults need are changing, too. The Stride conference features fast-paced team exercise and group challenges to develop and expand their leadership capabilities. The program also introduces them to more advanced leadership and networking concepts, potential career paths and makes connections with other students with similar goals.
The PDPW Mentor Program is designed to increase opportunities for students to experience modern dairy production systems and to stimulate career planning while highlighting production agriculture as an option. The program is open to students of four-year universities, technical schools and short-course programs. Students apply in the late fall and are paired with a dairy farm mentor, then spend a full day on the farm with their mentor. Mentors and students attend a special breakfast at the PDPW Business Conference, and students receive a complimentary registration and one-night hotel stay to afford them additional learning and networking opportunities at the conference.
The PDPW Cornerstone Dairy Academy is application-based professional development training that equips dairy producers and industry professionals with tools to effectively communicate and more proficiently collaborate and lead others. The training is designed for a range of participants – college-age students, recent college graduates pursuing dairy-related careers, individuals wanting to restructure their leadership skills and those who are at a crossroads in their dairy career.
There are three training pillars from which to choose, with each featuring world-class facilitators and trainers. The program is held in conjunction with the PDPW Business Conference and adjourns in time for participants to continue learning by attending conference sessions and networking with speakers and fellow attendees.
Dairy’s Foundation is unique because it is funded primarily by dairy producers who are eager to support their fellow dairy producers. We make projects happen together. The funds awarded by the foundation are made possible by gifts and donations from dairy farmers who are committed to the future of our industry, our farms and our families. The programs the foundation supports are always dairy-specific and fill a need not already being met in the dairy community.
An automated, convenient way for dairy farmers to pledge is through the Two Cents for Tomorrow program, an ongoing campaign through which 2 cents per hundredweight of milk from their farm supports programs funded by the foundation.
Visit dairyfoundation.org to learn more about the Two Cents for Tomorrow program or to make your donation online. The foundation is a 501(c)3 entity, so all contributions are tax-deductible.
The following update is provided by the Professional Dairy Producers Foundation, which raises funds nationwide and awards grants and sponsorships for educational programs and initiatives that benefit the U.S. dairy community. PDPF is committed to uniting the dairy community on issues of common concern to achieve its vision of a professional, proactive and prepared dairy community.
