The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) congratulates Emily Butner of San Marcos, Calif. as the 2017 recipient of their annual $1,000 scholarship.
Butner is a third-year student at the California Polytechnic (Cal Poly) State University studying dairy science with a minor in biotechnology. She is involved in the Los Lecheros Dairy Club, Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority and the Cal Poly Equestrian team. Her internship and work experiences include positions with Rock River Laboratory, Inc., the Cal Poly Dairy Science Department and the Cal Poly Dairy.
“I chose to pursue a career in agriculture because I am driven by my passion for animals and by my optimism for innovations awaiting our industry in the future,” says Butner. “I was not born on a farm, but I got to one as fast as I could – and I am here to stay.”
Although she was not raised on a dairy farm, Butner has immersed herself in learning by doing at the Cal Poly Dairy – where she found her passion for the dairy industry. As an on-call staff member for the dairy, she has used her classroom knowledge and applied it to real-life situations. Butner also works as a ruminant nutrition research assistant at the university. She is currently involved in a research study on fiber digestibility in calf diets.
“Emily has a strong drive to succeed, both in her academics and in her work life. In my estimation, her drive is paying off,” says Leanne Berning, Ph.D., a dairy science professor at Cal Poly State University. “On top of her studies, she works extensively at the university’s dairy. Altogether, this capable young woman is working hard to prepare herself for a career working with cattle.”
As a non-traditional dairy science student, Butner has a unique understanding of the gap between the agriculture industry and the consumer. Prior to her college education and experiences, she didn’t realize how much effort it takes to produce food. Now, she strives to be an agriculture advocate for the dairy industry and hopes to inspire others to pursue careers in agriculture, even if they do not come from a traditional farm background.
After graduation, Butner plans to attend a graduate program to further develop her knowledge in dairy calf nutrition.
DCHA annually awards a scholarship to an outstanding agriculture-focused student with the goal of supporting the future of the dairy industry. Merial is the sponsor for this year’s scholarship.
The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (www.calfandheifer.org) was founded in 1996 based on the mission to help dairy producers, calf managers and those professionally focused on the growth and management of dairy calves and heifers. With a national membership of producers, allied industries and research leaders, DCHA seeks to provide the industry’s standards for profitability, performance and leadership, serving as a catalyst to help members improve the vitality and viability of their individual efforts and that of their business.
