Oklahoma State University
Taylor was the 28th Hoard's Dairyman summer editorial intern. As part of our team, Taylor contributed weekly to our HD Notebook blog, compiled the top 50 dairy co-ops list, helped prepare the 2016 World Dairy Expo supplement, wrote the Farm Flash page and prepared other articles for the magazine based on farm visits and meetings she attended.
Taylor hails from Linwood, Kan. Her parents are Rob and Lisa Leach, and she has two younger sisters, Erin and Sophie. Taylor and her sisters are the sixth generation of their family to grow up on a dairy farm. Lin-Crest Farm is home 60 Holsteins and 20 Jerseys. Besides the milking herd, the Leachs harvest about 150 acres of corn and alfalfa. Taylor and her family enjoy showing cattle at local, state, and national shows.
After graduating from Basehor-Linwood High School, Taylor attended Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) and received an associate's degree in applied science. While attending KCKCC, Taylor was a student ambassador, giving campus tours and recruiting future students. Taylor's next move led her to Oklahoma State University, where she will be a senior this fall majoring in animal science and agricultural communications. During the school year, Taylor lives and works on the campus dairy farm. Some of her responsibilities include milking cows, feeding calves and heifers, and providing general animal care.
Taylor was involved with dairy activities as a youth, which has fueled a desire to work with junior members in both the Holstein and Jersey breed associations. She had the opportunity to represent the Jersey breed when she served as the 2014 National Jersey Queen.
Upon graduation, Taylor plans to pursue a career in dairy communications. She would also like to maintain a small herd of Holsteins and Jerseys.
