Dwyer Named 2007 Overall Judi Collinsworth Award Winner
Brattleboro, VT (February 15, 2008)…Shannon Dwyer, West Bend, Wis., has been named the 2007 Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Memorial Award Winner by Holstein Association USA. She is the fourth Junior Holstein member to receive this prestigious honor. As the overall winner, Dwyer will receive a $500 scholarship.
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Area 3 Junior Advisory Committee member Linda Behling presents Shannon Dwyer the 2007 Overall Judi Collinsworth Award. |
Shannon is the 21-year-old daughter of Tom and Mary Dwyer of West Bend, Wis. She was awarded the Collinsworth Award at the Midwest Spring National Show in Madison, Wis., last April. Dwyer is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Dairy Science. She has exhibited cattle at all levels and has participated in dairy bowl and public speaking competitions. She enjoys participating in dairy promotion programs and being an advocate for the industry. In the future, Dwyer would like to own an elite herd of Registered Holstein cows, a goal she has started working toward through involvement on her home farm, Hillcrest Farms, and summer internships. She plans to remain active as a volunteer with the Junior Holstein Association to help other Juniors develop important life skills.
“Growing up on a commercial dairy, I didn't get the exposure to Registered Holsteins and Holstein activities like so many fortunate youth do,” Dwyer said. “Taking advantage of opportunities offered by the Holstein Association has allowed me to grow and develop, building knowledge and skills I will utilize in my future. Getting involved in Holstein activities and networking with fellow members has given me the chance to explore parts of the industry I previously knew little about.”
Each year, the Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Memorial Award is presented to a deserving Junior exhibitor at each of the National Junior Holstein Shows. It rewards youth for their hard work and involvement with their cattle and dairy activities. Each winner is selected on sportsmanship, herdsmanship and level of participation in Holstein activities.
In 2008, winners will receive a $250 cash award, an increase from the $100 award that has been given in the past. The winners are invited to apply for the Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award, a $500 scholarship.
Other winners at 2007 National Junior Holstein Shows were Dallin Buttars, Western National Spring Show; Danyel Hosto, International Junior Show; Kelly Lee, Grand National Junior Show; Jason Miley, Mid-East Spring National Show; Brian Moff, Mid-East Summer National Show; Tim Rauen, Midwest Fall National Show; and Brent Schuler, Premier National Junior Show.
Judi Collinsworth, former Holstein Association Executive Director of Member and Industry Services, 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 those programs. Applications for the Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Memorial Award are available online at www.holsteinusa.com or at each of the four 2008 National Junior Holstein Shows. For more information on Holstein Association Junior activities, contact Kelli Dunklee at 800-952-5200, ext. 4124
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Excitement Building for Upcoming Young Dairy Leaders Institute
Brattleboro, VT (February 11, 2008)… Phase I of the upcoming Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) Class 6 is quickly approaching! The program will take place February 27 - March 1 in Albuquerque, N.M. Phase I utilizes interactive workshops aimed at improving attendees’ individual leadership and communication skills.
YDLI, a cornerstone program of the Holstein Foundation, is a three-phase program which takes place over a two year period. Eighty young adults have been selected to be a part of Class 6. YDLI is open to anyone in the U.S. or other English-speaking countries. This year’s class is composed of people from 25 different states, Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines. The first class of YDLI was held in 1994, and has since graduated over 400 alumni.
“On the heels of the $2 million contribution from Holstein Association USA for the support of YDLI, excitement is at an all-time high,” said Jodi Hoynoski, Programs Manager of the Holstein Foundation. “We have a high quality group of individuals in this class, and are looking forward to an outstanding program.”
The four-day schedule is packed full of a variety of topics such as ag advocacy, understanding personality types, consumer relations, life balance, and media training. Participants will also have the chance to tour two New Mexico dairy farms to get a first-hand look at dairy farming in the Southwest.
Phase II takes place in the year between Phase I and III. Class members put their new skills to use through a community outreach project of their choice, as well as other projects aimed at further developing and utilizing their skills. Phase III will be held February 25-28, 2009 and will focus on group leadership skills. Workshops will cover topics such as advanced media training, meeting and board skills, and public policy. Class members will also give presentations on their Phase II projects.
YDLI would not be possible without the generous support of its many sponsors.
Institute Leaders include Agway Foundation, Inc., Allflex, Cargill, Cooperative Resources International, Dairy Management Inc., Holstein Association USA, Inc., Select Sires, Inc., The Farm Credit System Foundation, and WestfaliaSurge, Inc.
Institute Friends include Accelerated Genetics, AgStar Financial Services, Badgerland Farm Credit Services, Cause Matters Corporation, CHS, COBA/Select Sires, Inc., Dairy MAX, Inc.,
DairyBusiness Communications, FCS Financial Services, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, KeyBank, Land O’Lakes Foundation, Northeast Farm Credit Ag Enhancement Program, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Robert L. Cain Memorial Fund, The Center for Dairy Excellence, Walco International, Inc.
or for more information on Holstein Foundation programs, contact Jodi Hoynoski
at 1.800.952.5200 ext. 4261.
Holstein Association USA Makes Generous Donation to Holstein Foundation
Brattleboro, Vt. (February 7, 2008)…Holstein Association USA recently contributed $2 million dollars from its reserve fund to the Holstein Foundation in support of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) program. The donation was added to the Holstein Foundation’s endowment fund, where interest and dividends will support YDLI well into the future. The gift was approved by the Association’s board of directors at its November 2007 meeting.
“We are very excited about Holstein Association USA’s generous gift to the Holstein Foundation’s endowment fund,” said Holstein Foundation Chairman Chuck Worden.“It speaks volumes about their desire to make Young Dairy Leaders Institute the premier young adult leadership training program in the country.”
“Holstein Association USA’s mission is to provide leadership, information, and services to help members and dairy producers worldwide be successful. We feel that this works hand-in-hand with the vision of the Holstein Foundation and YDLI,” said Doug Maddox, Holstein Association USA President. “I view this contribution as a solid investment that will bring long-term value to our organization. Not only that, but by developing strong leaders in the future generations, the entire dairy industry will benefit.”
YDLI, a cornerstone program of the Holstein Foundation, is a unique program that offers leadership training specific to the dairy industry. It takes place in three-phases held over two years and focuses on leadership and communications training for young adults (ages 22-45) working in all areas of the dairy industry. In its 15-year history, YDLI has graduated over 400 individuals who have gone on to make a positive impact on agriculture and the dairy industry. Phase 1 of the upcoming Class 6 will take place February 27-March 1 in Albuquerque, N.M.
For more information about YDLI or other Holstein Foundation programs, contact Jodi Hoynoski, Programs Manager, at 1.800.952.5200, ext. 4261.
Strong Results for Holstein Association
Brattleboro, Vt. (February 5, 2008)…During his state of the association address at the Region 4 Member meeting at Auburn University February 2nd, Holstein Association USA CEO John M. Meyer reported another year of strong growth to Holstein enthusiasts. He stated, “Registrations are the bread-and-butter of any pedigreed livestock association. In 2007, your Association registered 317,128 of your animals. This is a 4 percent increase over last year’s total. It is interesting to note that in 2003, 288,841 animals were registered which equates to a 10 percent increase in registration activity over the last four years. This is certainly a strong indication of the value dairy producers see in U.S. Registered HolsteinsSM.”
The Holstein COMPLETE program, launched in 2002, a package program of services continued to flourish. In 2007, 197,860 animals in 1,705 herds were enrolled in Holstein COMPLETE. Meyer commented, “This is a 15 percent increase in animals and a 13 percent increase in herds compared to 2006. Here too, this kind of growth is evidence of the value members see in this special program.”
Meyer went on to say, “The Classification Program enjoyed tremendous growth last year, as our classification team evaluated more cows than any time in the last ten years. Two hundred fifteen thousand cows were classified in our regular classification program, while 110,000 animals received SET evaluations, for a total of 325,915 head. This is an increase of 16,292 animals or 5 percent.”
The number of Holsteins on official test continues to grow. Meyer stated, “We are pleased to report that the number of cows on official test through the TriStar Program continues to soar. Last year, 304,000 cows were enrolled in TriStar compared to 290,000 in 2006, which is a 5 percent increase. Looking back five years, in 2002, just 245,779 cows were enrolled in TriStar. This represents an increase of 58,560 animals or 24 percent.”
The excellent growth of the organization’s junior program bodes well for the future of the Holstein Association USA, Inc. A total of 806 new junior members were welcomed to the Association in 2007 compared to 700 in 2006, a 15 percent increase.
Meyer concluded his comments by praising Holstein Association members for their participation in the programs and services offered by their Association. “Your participation has resulted in four consecutive years of steady growth for your Association,” Meyer stated.
For more information, contact Karen Albrecht at 802.451.4242 or via email.
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 HolsteinsSM and represents more than 30,000 members throughout the United States. The Association is also leading the initiative for national animal identification through the National FAIR program.