Harrisburg, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association and Center for Dairy Excellence are offering up to four full scholarships for Pennsylvania dairy producers to participate in Class 10 of the Holstein Foundation’s Young Dairy Leaders Institute. This program offers participants the opportunity to develop high-level communications and leadership skills, as well as the personal network, to succeed in today’s dairy business.
YDLI is a nationally recognized three-phase leader and communication skills development program for young adults working in the dairy industry, with all breeds of cattle. In addition to the full scholarship, the Dairymen’s Association and the Center for Dairy Excellence will offer a stipend to each recipient to offset the cost of employing help on the farm while attending the program.
“Not only has it brought me together with other young dairy leaders from across the continent, it has given me an excuse to step up and volunteer to promote the dairy industry in my local community,” said Heather Weeks, a participant in YDLI Class 9 who now serves as a loan officer within AgChoice Farm Credit. “I have the skills and confidence to get out and share dairy’s story with consumers, and I can do so in an effective, professional manner.”
Successful scholarship candidates shall be:
· Be an active Pennsylvania dairy farmer
· Have formally completed an application for the current class of Young Dairy Leaders Institute and submitted to the Holstein Foundation by designated deadline
· Have no pre-identified industry or business sponsor affiliate to offset the cost of attending Young Dairy Leaders Institute
· Shows commitment to encouraging other Pennsylvania dairy farmers to apply and participate in future Young Dairy Leaders Institute classes
· Willing to share Young Dairy Leader Institute projects and impact with Center for Dairy Excellence and Dairymen’s Association boards