MANHATTAN,
Kansas. –
Developing the next generation of dairy industry leaders is the goal of the
newly created Dairy U program. High school students with an interest in
discovering opportunities within the industry are encouraged to apply now for
this four-day immersive educational opportunity throughout southwest Kansas.
The inaugural program will be open to ten students from across the country,
June 19-22, 2018.
Kansas State
University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry will partner with leading
dairy producers to provide this learning opportunity. Partnering dairies
include: Ag Oasis, Forget-Me-Not Farms and Royal Farms. Lead donors for the
program include: Kansas Dairy Council, Arm and Hammer Animal Health, Zoetis,
American AgCredit, and Midwest Select Sires.
“The dairy
industry in Southwest Kansas is continuing to grow and with this growth comes
new technology and jobs,” said Mandy Fox, Ag Oasis Dairy education and outreach
coordinator. “We hope to spark an interest in these students to consider
options in the dairy industry, or directly linked to us, early on in their
academic career. The hope is that once they complete high school they may
choose an education or career path that helps our industry continue to grow and
develop. We would like to expose them to all the options that exist in the
dairy arena.”
Students will
meet in Dodge City and travel throughout Kansas to visit dairies and meet with
leaders and industry stakeholders. Hands-on seminars will include a dairy
industry overview, lifecycle of a cow, animal health, reproduction,
milking systems and nutrition. Students will also receive financial education
and communications training.
Applications
are due April 2, 2018, and can be found at http://www.YouthLivestock.KSU.edu.
Transportation to and from the event is the responsibility of the participant,
along with a $50 deposit to reserve his or her space. All other costs are
provided by the program sponsors. Please contact coordinator Sharon Breiner
with questions at sbreiner@ksu.edu or 785-532-6533.
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