The Center for Dairy Excellence and Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania have strengthened partnerships with both the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. The two partnerships focus on expanding and enriching the Center Foundation's "Next Generation" initiatives, Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow and Discover Dairy, while building greater support for broad industry collaboration through the Center for Dairy Excellence.
"We value the opportunity to work together with both PDPP and the Dairymen's Association to magnify our efforts in strengthening and empowering Pennsylvania's dairy industry," said Jayne Sebright, interim executive director for the center and Center Foundation. "We also greatly appreciate their support of both the DLT and Discover Dairy Programs, which we believe are invaluable in reaching young people about the industry's contribution and in preparing those interested in dairy production for employment."
Through additional funding provided by the two partner organizations, the Center Foundation is planning to grow the reach of both youth programs by three-fold within the next two years. This effort will be led by Mary Foote, a native of New York, who recently joined the center as Dairy Education Program Coordinator. Foote will reach out to the educational community to encourage incorporation of the Discover Dairy and Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Programs into the classroom environment, actively supporting both teachers and students as they utilize the programs.
Foote's responsibilities will also include developing new components to enhance both of these "Next Generation" resources that educate students on how dairy farms contribute to our communities and what skills are needed to work on today's dairy farms. Her efforts will be directly supported through both partnerships.
"The Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Program has tremendous potential to engage, prepare and inspire young people toward a career path in dairy production," said David Smith, executive director of the Dairymen's Association. "We are supportive of the Center Foundation's leadership in offering both of these educational programs and see the center's broad collaborative efforts as having a profoundly positive influence on our entire industry."
"The Discover Dairy program has a far-reaching potential to enhance the public's understanding of the dairy industry by reaching students," said Harold Shaulis, chairman of Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. "We are proud to partner with both the Center and the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association to provide resources and support for educators."
Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow, began in 2012, is a curriculum designed specifically to prepare high school students to work in the dairy industry. It provides dairy business and herd management courses to high school educators and students interested in a career in production agriculture, and offers two certifications – one in dairy business management and one in dairy herd management. Coursework can be taught in the classroom or completed independently with the support of a supervising advisor. In addition to the coursework, the program includes farm tours and other enrichment opportunities for the students. Learn more about this program at www.dairyleadersoftomorrow.com.
Discover Dairy focuses its educational standards-based lessons and resources on educating upper elementary and middle school students on how dairy farms contribute to the world. Two complete lesson series, one for 3rd – 5th grade and one for 6th-8th, are available, with videos, lesson plans, guided reading materials, classroom activities, and assessment based worksheets. Computer games and other resources for the classroom are also available at www.discoverdairy.com.
Both of these renewed partnerships resulted, in part, through the center's recent discovery to identify relationships that can strengthen and sustain the center's efforts in fulfilling its vision of providing leadership and collaboration across the Pennsylvania dairy industry.
5.16.2016
