Young Dairy Leaders Institute Graduates Class Five
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YDLI GRADUATING CLASS 2006 (second row: l-r) Kim Brown Pokorny, Lucinda Whitlow, Carrie Way, Kathy LaScala, Kelly Carter, Jennifer Gross, Melanie Hoggard, Jerry Emerich, Chandler Goule, Matthew Berning and Daniel Carroll (stairs: l-r) Sarah Wilson, Lisa Perrin, Marcy Guillette, Beth Ertl, Lynnette Wright, Kylene Anderson, Ernesto Santillanez, Laura Wackershauser, Kylie Quesnel, Jenny Wackershauser, Chris Sheahan, Stacy Sheahan, Jeannie Winkelman, Kristin Paul, Betsy Hunter, Adam Griffin, Ray Prock, Jr., Daryl Fletcher, Roxanne Fletcher and Venessa Knoblock |
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., February 22, 2006–The fifth class of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) completed their final phase, Phase III, February 1-4, 2006 in Tampa, Fla. The highly interactive three-day session included advanced media training, a provocative animal rights discussion, legislative training and customized breakout sessions.
“As the only nation-wide dairy leadership program available today, YDLI is uniquely positioned to offer significant influence for the industry. This world renowned program offers each participant leadership training to develop top-tier skills and the personal network needed to succeed in today’s dairy business,” said Holstein Foundation Chairman, Elmo Wendorf, Jr.
YDLI consists of three phases to ensure class members are prepared to be leaders in the dairy industry. In Phase I, class members develop essential skills for individual leadership. In Phase II, those skills are applied in real-life scenarios and in Phase III, class members focus on influential leadership to benefit the dairy industry. The three phases take place over a two-year period to encourage strong retention from the training, as well as personal accountability.
The lead-off workshop in Phase III focused on managing conflict and communication on a team. Building on Phase I personalities training, this session delved deeper into behavior styles and how they affect group communications.
An animal rights panel and discussion brought the class to the edge of their seats, one of the most memorable and significant sessions in YDLI history. An animal rights professor, researcher and activist offered their opinions and insight into the animal rights movement. Each class member came away with a better understanding of the movement and the desire to speak-out in support of the dairy industry in regards to what the movement considers a moral dilemma, rather than a scientific one.
Breakouts sessions allowed class members to customize additional training opportunities. The options included: Time Management, Respect in Leadership, Managing Change, Speaking with Confidence, Meeting Skills and Employee Management.
Advanced Media Training focused on communication during a public meeting. Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) once again brought in Joan Horbiak and David Pelzer for a challenging but rewarding session. With microphones and cameras in class members faces, they practice, practice, practice how to become media savvy.
An all-day session on Legislative Training on affecting public policy taught class members how to use influential leadership, a main goal of Phase III’s program. The class was subjected to a real Washington, DC experience thanks to the help of one of their own class members, an Ag Committee Staffperson. Lobbyists from National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Kraft Foods and an independent consultant shared their insight and suggestions for productive communications on Capitol Hill. The class was then given the opportunity to role play in a mock Ag Committee Hearing and Mark-up regarding the Farm Bill.
Throughout the week, each class member presented a Phase II report. Phase II assignments included: consumer interviews, media contact and writing to their legislators, along with implementing a personal agricultural advocacy project chosen during Phase I.
A VIP Luncheon sponsored by Cargill Animal Nutrition featured class members with noteworthy Phase II projects. They included: Sarah Wilson, North Dakota, who developed lessons plans for local teachers who include agricultural lessons in their classroom; Kim Brown Pokorny, Wisconsin, who carried on her own media training with dairy producers; Ray Prock, California, a dairy producer who has gotten involved in local environmental commissions; Kylie Quesnel, Vermont, a dairy producer who worked with Hispanic labor immigration education; and Chris Shepherd and Philip Halhead from the United Kingdom, who worked to bring milk into school cafeterias.
A Tampa Bay Yacht Cruise, a surprise graduation event sponsored by WestfaliaSurge, Inc., concluded the class’ three-day training session. The presentation of $4,000 raised by Class 5 to the Holstein Foundation’s Fundraising Chairman, Robert Heilman, was a highlight of the night.
The Holstein Foundation salutes all the generous sponsors that make the Young Dairy Leaders Institute possible.
Institute leaders included: Agway Foundation, Inc., Allflex USA, Inc., Cargill Animal Nutrition, Cooperative Resources International, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc., Dairy Management, Inc., Farm Credit System Foundation, Holstein Association USA, Inc., Select Sires, Inc. and WestfaliaSurge, Inc.
Institute friends included: Blue Seal Feeds, Inc., Cause Matters Corp., Charles & Judy Iager, COBA Select Sires, David Williamson, DTN, Elanco Animal Health, The Garrison Group LLC, Grande Cheese Company, Hoard’s Dairyman, H. W. Naylor Company, Inc., International Dairy Foods Association, KeyBank, Kraft Foods, National Milk Producers Federation, Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Robert Heilman, Robin & Kip Keller, Semex USA, Inc., U.S. Dairy Export Council, Walco International, Inc., Wisconsin Farm Credit System and YDLI Class 5 Alumni.
YDLI is designed for young adults in the dairy industry, ages 22-45, and boasts over 400 alumni since starting in 1993. Up to 75 applicants are selected for each class from the U.S. and English-speaking countries. YDLI is a cornerstone program of the Holstein Foundation. The vision of the Holstein Foundation, a 501c3 founded in 1989, is to grow the future of the dairy business through premier leadership programs.
The next YDLI class will be held February 2008-2009. Applications are due during the Summer of 2007. For more information about joining the next YDLI class, to learn about available sponsorship opportunities, or for more information on Holstein Foundation programs, contact Jodi Luttropp at (800) 952-5200 ext. 4261, email: jluttropp@holstein.com or visit www.holsteinfoundation.org.
The Holstein Foundation is a nonprofit organization, supported by generous individual and corporate donors. Through its premier leadership programs, the Holstein Foundation is growing the future of the dairy industry.
Pennsylvania Third State to Conduct Holstein Foundation Dairy Bowl Sale
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| Clayton Wood, a Pennsylvania Junior Member, has donated a Registered Holstein heifer to be auctioned at the Pennsylvania State Holstein Convention Sale with all proceeds to benefit the Holstein Foundation's "25 More National Dairy Bowls Sale." |
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., February 8, 2006–Clayton Wood, a seventeen-year-old Holstein Association USA, Inc. Junior member from Littlestown, Pa., has donated a Registered Holstein to be auctioned at the Pennsylvania State Holstein Convention Sale on February 18, in York, Pa., with all proceeds to benefit the Holstein Foundation.
“The youth programs the Holstein Foundation supports have brought so much to me,” said Wood. “This is my way of giving back and helping to ensure future Junior members can benefit from Foundation programs.”
The spring yearling heifer, Penn-Gate Lucifer Mandy F 136186577, 100% RHA-NA, was born March 2005 and hails from the heart of the Penn-Gate “Finesse” cow family. Mandy’s sire is Lylehaven Lucifer from the acclaimed “Laura” cow family and her dam is a 2E-93 Mandel.
Anyone can support this effort by becoming a member of the Pennsylvania Dairy Bowl Syndicate. Simply purchase a share of “Mandy F” at $100 per share. Shares can be purchased at the Pennsylvania Adult & Junior Holstein Conventions, or by calling Ken Raney, Pennsylvania’s Executive Director, at 814-880-2723. The syndicate will compile shares to purchase “Mandy F”. The heifer will then be re-donated and sold. All syndicate share proceeds and sale revenue will benefit the Holstein Foundation’s most popular youth program, Dairy Bowl.
“Pennsylvania dairymen have many successes to be proud of and every reason to participate in this effort,” said Wood. “As the state that holds the most (11) National Dairy Bowl championship titles in the first 25 years of the contest and the state with the most national Holstein Junior members, Pennsylvania must come together and support the programs so many of our youth have benefited from.”
Holstein Foundation Fund Drive Chairman Bob Heilman, is spearheading the national initiative, called the “25 More National Dairy Bowls Sale,” a fundraising program established to honor the 25th anniversary of the National Holstein Dairy Bowl Contest.
“This sale will raise funds to ensure a bright future for National Dairy Bowl and all its participants. We are encouraging consigners and buyers at any state, regional, county or private sales to participate,” said Heilman.
For more details about conducting a “25 More National Dairy Bowls Sale” event in your local area, contact Bob Heilman at 804.474.8678 or e-mail bob.heilman@comcast.net.
For more information about Holstein Foundation programs, contact Jodi Luttropp at 800.952.5200 ext. 4261, e-mail jluttropp@holstein.com, or visit www.holsteinfoundation.org.
The Holstein Foundation is a nonprofit organization, supported by generous individual and corporate donors. Through its premier leadership programs, the Holstein Foundation is growing the future of the dairy industry.
Mitchell Wins Collinsworth Award
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| Matthew Mitchell, LaFollette, Tenn., accepts the 2005 Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award from Holstein Association USA, Inc. Regional Representative Glenn Sageser. |
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., February 8, 2006–Matthew Mitchell, LaFollette, Tenn., has been named the 2005 Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award winner by the Holstein Association USA, Inc. Mitchell is the second Junior to win this prestigious honor, competing with five others for the title. The semi-finalists included: Greta Koebel, Three Oaks, Mich.; Rebekah Mast, Denair, Calif.; Crystal McNett, Belmont, Wis.; Esther Rupp, Seville, Ohio; and Andy Thomas, Lewisburg, Ohio.
The Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Memorial Award was given to deserving applicants at each of the six 2005 National Junior Holstein Shows. Each winner was selected based on sportsmanship, herdsmanship and level of participation in Holstein Activities and awarded $100. The six show winners were invited to apply for the Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award, a $500 scholarship.
Since 1994, 108 outstanding Juniors have been presented the award named for Judi Collinsworth, the former Holstein Association Executive Director of Member and Industry Services who passed away in 1993 of cancer. Collinsworth was dedicated to improving and expanding Holstein youth programs and was a driving force behind increasing support for them.
Mitchell is the 17-year-old son of Jeff and Rissa Mitchell of LaFollette, Tenn. He was awarded the Collinsworth Award at the Premier National Junior Holstein Show at the All-American Dairy Show, Harrisburg, Pa., September 19, 2005. Currently a high school junior, Mitchell, with help from his parents, is leasing a dairy facility to milk the 16 Registered Holsteins he owns. After achieving a college degree, he plans to continue his Registered Holstein dairy herd. Mitchell is an accomplished Junior member with many awards, including being named a 2004 Young Distinguished Junior Member Finalist.
“Considering the quality and experience of the other competitors, I am honored to accept this award. Judi Collinsworth was an integral part of the Holstein youth activities that so many of us enjoy today,” said Mitchell. “I am more prepared to be successful in the dairy industry and in life, because of the lessons I’ve learned as a National Junior Holstein member.”
Applications for the Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Memorial Award are available online at www.holsteinusa.com or at each of the seven 2006 National Junior Holstein Shows. For more information on Holstein Association Junior activities, please contact Kelli Dunklee at 800-952-5200, ext. 4124.
Holstein Association USA, Inc., www.holsteinusa.com, provides products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability–ranging from registry processing to identification programs to consulting services. The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., maintains the records for Registered Holsteins and represents approximately 30,000 dairy farmers from across the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.