Young dairy producers and college students who are interested in attending the 2020 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit are encouraged to apply for this year’s Young Professional Scholarship. The scholarship program was created to encourage young professionals to pursue professional development and networking opportunities by offsetting registration and hotel costs for the Dairy Summit.
A limited number of scholarships will be awarded by the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, the Center for Dairy Excellence, and the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania.
“When I went to the Dairy Summit, it was really nice to meet with vendors and organizations that you might be interacting with in the future, whether you’re looking for job prospects or going home to work on your family’s farm,” said Ashley Blair, who attended the Dairy Summit during college and now works full-time on her family’s dairy in Warren, Pennsylvania. “I also remember gaining a lot of really good information and tangible strategies from a dairy farm that spoke about their operations at the Dairy Summit. They shared ideas that my family has considered implementing in the future.”
The 2020 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit will take place Feb. 5 and 6 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania. The event will begin with a Young Dairy Professionals Panel on Tuesday evening, Feb. 4, where attendees will hear from young producers who will share how they found their start in the dairy industry.
With a lineup of diverse speakers, a panel of 12 breakout sessions, and opportunities for networking and collaboration, the Summit will help young dairy producers learn from professionals in the industry and understand the latest techniques and technologies to remain profitable.
“For young producers who are just beginning their professional career within the dairy industry, or college students who are eager to learn more about dairy, the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit is an opportunity for young professionals to learn from the best of the best,” said Brittany Haag, Dairy Education Programs Manager for the Dairy Excellence Foundation. “These scholarships allow young professionals to expand their skillsets and make connections without paying a large fee.”
Scholarship applicants must be 17 to 25 years of age as of Feb. 1, 2020, must operate or live on a dairy farm, or be enrolled in an agricultural degree program at a college or university. Applicants must also attend the Young Dairy Professionals Panel on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020.
Applications are due by Jan. 13, 2020. Visit their website to learn more or contact Brittany Haag at 717-346-0849 or by email at bhaag@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
