This year, the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania has worked to plant seeds of knowledge and inspiration for students of all ages. For older students who may have grown up on dairy farms or have an initial interest in agriculture, we help them forge their own career paths and begin fostering their legacies in the industry. This involves in-depth, high-school-level courses through the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program along with on-farm internship opportunities for college students.
Where are some of these students now? Even after students graduate from high school and college, the skills they gained through the foundation’s on-farm internship experiences help shape their future careers.
Rogus finds passion for veterinary medicine through boots-on-the-ground experience
As a teenager growing up in a cul-de-sac in suburban Philadelphia, Molly Rogus did not have neighbors who were dairy farmers, but she quickly found an interest in agriculture, animals and veterinary medicine through her school’s 4-H program. After her exposure in high school, Rogus decided to study animal science at Pennsylvania State University. Never having worked on a dairy farm, Rogus decided to complete an on-farm internship in the summer 2015 on Vista Grande Farm LLC in Berks County, Pennsylvania, to gain large-animal experience on a modern dairy farm.
Molly Rogus works at a large animal veterinary clinic in Wisconsin. She completed her studies at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo provided by Emily Barge.
“I had no experience, so that was the first farm where I really learned what it means to run a dairy,” Rogus says. “I started from ground zero. Learning how to milk the cows and figuring out the order you move the milkers was even daunting. Now that I’m going into dairy production medicine, that internship was so crucial. If you don’t know the lingo and the way dairies are run, it’s really hard to step in as a vet. Having that foundation was a really good skill set.”
Rogus graduated from Penn State in 2018 and immediately started vet school at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She says she gained a deep respect for the work ethic and knowledge that goes into running a successful dairy operation.
“I saw what has to get done in a day and how much dairy producers know about their operations, their cows and the markets at large,” Rogus says. “It’s a really underrated profession in terms of the responsibilities and capabilities necessary for it. Seeing the day-to-day work and being hands-on made me really respect that line of work. It really solidified my desire to work with those people in this industry.”
Rogus moved to Wisconsin in June 2022 to work at a large veterinary practice. While she works with horses, sheep and goats, 70% to 80% of her work is with dairy cows. Her passion and heart for the industry is evident to this day.
Mattilio discovers career connecting with dairy producers
Dominic Mattilio graduated a semester early from Penn State in December 2021 with a degree in animal science and minors in agronomy and business. By the time he crossed the stage, he had accepted a job with Land O’Lakes Inc. as a dairy field representative. This is a job he describes as being the go-to person for the producers he works with. From milk and sanitary inspections to generational transfers and paperwork, Mattilio is the point person for the 91 dairy farms he works with in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Dominic Mattilio is a dairy field specialist after completing his undergraduate degree at the Pennsylvania State University. Photo provided by Emily Barge.
Before starting his career, Mattilio packed his bags and headed to Tauer Dairy in Hanska, Minnesota, to complete an on-farm internship during the summer 2020. In Hanska, Mattilio did fieldwork in addition to milking and cow management. He even learned about the business side of farming.
“Anytime you can go to a different dairy operation, work there, pick up things you like and figure out things you don’t like with the operation, it’s very beneficial,” Mattilio says. “It’s nice to be able to bounce ideas off my producers now from the different dairies I have worked at, and Tauer Dairy was one of those I could really use as a resource for knowledge.”
Mattilio describes his role with Land O’Lakes as being able to tour a farm every day, which is something he enjoys.
“I just knew that whatever I wanted to do, I wanted to travel to different farms, be able to talk to producers and see their operations,” he says. “It’s just a great opportunity to be back where I’m from.”
Burns pursues future in dairy with career in nutrition
Beckie Burns may not have grown up on a dairy farm, but thanks to an on-farm internship she completed on a Pennsylvania dairy farm and the welcoming community of dairy professionals she met along the way, she quickly realized her future was in dairy. A graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in animal science, Burns accepted a job offer with Purina Animal Nutrition in June 2022 to work with dairy producers as a livestock production specialist.
Beckie Burns is a livestock production specialist following graduation from Iowa State University. Photo provided by Emily Barge.
By working with dairy producers day in and day out, Burns hopes to make an impact on the broader Pennsylvania dairy industry.
“I learned from the on-farm internship that I didn’t want to work as a farm manager full time, but I still really liked being on the farm,” Burns says. “During my next internship, I was inside in a lab setting. I enjoyed what I was doing, but I missed being on the farm and talking to new people every day. With the Purina job opportunity, being able to interact with new producers every day really excites me. It combines both of my passions of talking to producers and interacting in the farm environment.”
Burns credits the networking opportunities she had across the industry, including the people she met during her on-farm internship, with helping her find a meaningful career in the dairy industry.
“I’m really happy I was given all these opportunities to grow over the last four years, including the on-farm internship,” Burns says. “Going from having no idea about what species I was interested in to now being so passionate about the dairy industry, I can really only thank the people who have given me opportunities and were so welcoming. So many people invited me to explore their sectors of the industry and see what I would like.”
These ongoing opportunities provided to the next generation of dairy leaders would not be possible without the support and charitable giving from our dedicated donors. The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania, the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association provide $3,000 grants to support the on-farm internship program each summer. Learn more about the program online.
