7 New Yorkers Participate in Holstein Foundation's Young Dairy Leaders Institute

From Empire Farm & Dairy magazine

From staff reports
 
The Holstein Foundation’s Young Dairy Leaders Institute kicks off Phase I of its 10th class Feb. 8-11 in Phoenix, Ariz.
 
Sixty young adults from 17 U.S. states, as well as Canada and Mexico, will be a part of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute Class 10, a cornerstone program of the Holstein Foundation.
 
Participating from New York state are:
 
Carolyn Abbott, Selkirk, Albany County
 
Patricia Gilbert, Potsdam, St. Lawrence County
 
Rayne Ives, Remsen, Oneida County
 
Corey Kayhart, Bergen, Genesee County
 
Jess May, Odessa, Schuyler County
 
Nicholas Randle, Ithaca, Tompkins County
 
Holley Weeks, Farmington, Ontario County
 
Before Phase I workshops begin, the class will have an opportunity to tour two Phoenix area farms -- Danzeisen and Rijaarsdam dairies.
 
The three-phase program takes place over 12 months. Phase I includes hands-on workshops to improve attendees’ leadership, communication, and advocacy skills, while offering opportunities for networking and building enthusiasm for the dairy industry.
 
Phase II, takes place in the year between Phase I and III, during which class members develop and use their new skills in a community outreach project of their choice.
 
Phase III, held Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2018, will focus on group leadership skills and topics such as advanced communication training, conflict resolution skills, and influencing public policy. Class members will also give presentations on their Phase II projects.
 
The Young Dairy Leaders Institute Class 10 sponsors are:
 
Platinum Sponsors: Allflex USA, CHS Foundation, Dean Foods Foundation, Holstein Association USA, Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation, and Zoetis.
 
Gold Sponsors: Cargill, DairyBusiness Communications, Farm Credit System Foundation, Hoard’s Dairyman, Deere & Company and Land O’Lakes.
 
Silver Sponsors: Center for Dairy Excellence, Dairy Farmers of America, Dairy Management Inc. and Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association.
 
Bronze Sponsors: Robert L. Cain Fund, COBA/Select Sires, Farm Credit Northeast Ag Enhancement, GEA Farm Technologies, Inc., Horace Backus Fund, Merial Ltd. and Paul Mueller Co.
 
The first class was held in 1994, and the program now boasts more than 500 alumni.
 
For more information about Young Dairy Leaders Institute and other Holstein Foundation programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org, or contact Jodi Hoynoski, at (800) 952-5200, ext. 4261 or by email, at jhoynoski@holstein.com.