Progressive Publishing welcomed two new editors to its Progressive Dairy team in August.

Jenn Coyne is primarily responsible for covering the topics of hoof health, milking equipment and manure handling, as well as writing feature stories and co-hosting the Progressive Dairy podcast.

Jenn returns to the team with nearly a decade of experience in communications within the industry. Coyne previously worked as an editorial intern for Progressive Publishing in Idaho directly following her graduation from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a degree in dairy science in 2014. She then returned to west-central Minnesota and began her career with a regional dairy publication that serves producers in the Upper Midwest. Jenn found a knack for sharing dairy producers’ stories and the value of providing producers with information to better their dairy businesses.

“We’re pleased to welcome Jenn back to our dairy editorial team,” says Karen Lee, associate publisher – dairy at Progressive Publishing. "Her previous experience with us and throughout the industry has allowed her to quickly embrace covering topics of interest to the dairy industry. As an added presence in the Midwest, she’ll be sharing producer stories from throughout the region and the entire country through our print, online and podcast channels.”

Jenn grew up in Northfield, Minnesota, where her interests in the dairy industry were first sparked. In her younger years, she was involved in the 4-H leasing program for dairy and worked on the neighboring dairy farm throughout high school, where she was responsible for calf care and milking. She also represented Minnesota dairy farmers as a finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

Within the community, Jenn has served as an associate member of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and a volunteer for her local county’s Breakfast on the Farm event. She is also a board member of her college sorority’s alumnae association and a class member of the Holstein Foundation’s Young Dairy Leaders Institute Class 12.

Outside of work, Jenn and her husband, Willie, raise their two young children and take every opportunity to expose their boys to the wonders of rural communities.

Jenn is looking forward to her journey with Progressive Dairy, covering industry events and developing content on her focus topics.

“I’m eager to take my experience in the dairy industry and communications and apply it to the work of Progressive Dairy in providing producers with timely, accurate information,” Jenn says. “And, at the same time, highlight producers who are making management decisions that will propel their dairy business forward."

 Katie Coyne joins the staff as an editor for Progressive Dairy – Canada, where she will focus on topics related to feed and nutrition, dry and transition cows, farm equipment, herd health and animal welfare. You may recognize Katie’s byline, as she has been a contributing writer for Progressive Dairy for the past five years, writing the Leading the Way column covering all things related to showmanship and preparing cattle to show.

“Katie comes to Progressive Dairy with a lot of knowledge and industry connections in the U.S. and Canada,” Lee says. “We’re excited to have her join our team to develop content for our Canadian audience, while also highlighting dairy producers in both countries and continuing the Leading the Way column.”

As a fifth-generation dairy farmer, her roots run deep as her family has bred and developed Holsteins for over 100 years in western New York and southern Wisconsin. A recent transplant from Wisconsin back to her home state of New York, she currently has a small herd of registered Herefords, as well as several show-winning dairy heifers on her 6 acres. Katie owns a small business and travels across the U.S. to coach youth and adults on dairy showmanship and show preparation. Her three children are active in the dairy industry as a hoof trimmer, in human resources in a food processing firm and as an active dairy farmer.

Katie has held numerous leadership roles in the dairy industry, having served as the superintendent of the World Dairy Expo Fitting and Showmanship contests for the past 20 years. She is a former member of the Youth Advisory committee, the Dairy Cattle Show committee and the board of directors at World Dairy Expo as well. A highlight of that tenure was assisting with the development of the current Dairy Cattle Show committee structure with limited terms and to encompass the international community on the committee. She has served on the Wisconsin State Fair dairy promotion board, the Wisconsin Holstein board of directors and is a graduate of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute class II. She has recently been named to the Holstein USA National Judges list and has judged dairy shows at all levels in 20 states.

“I am excited to return to the Canadian dairy industry to share the strategy of progress on Canadian dairy farms. As world leaders in genetics and technology, along with advancements in Canadian agriculture, their stories will continue to shape agriculture across North America and beyond,” Katie says.