The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

Matt Nuckols

Matt Nuckols, of Beaverdam, Va., has been named the 2020 Young Dairy Leaders Institute Distinguished Alumni Leader by the Holstein Foundation. The Holstein Foundation recognizes one Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) graduate annually who has made noteworthy contributions and applied skills gained during their YDLI experience for the advancement of the dairy industry.

Matt was a graduate of YDLI Class 7, then spent eight years on the YDLI Advisory Committee, assisting in the execution and direction of the program while mentoring class members.

“To be recognized by a program that has given and means so much to me is incredibly humbling. YDLI is the model to duplicate when building a leadership program. The adaptive structure to continually adjust and improve the curriculum from one class to the next is why the YDLI network will continue to lead the dairy industry forward,” Nuckols said.

A 2000 graduate of Virginia Tech, Nuckols is the grassroots membership and fundraising specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau. In his role he focuses on membership growth and federation support for county Farm Bureaus. He also works as the fundraising development with a key emphasis on donor expansion to support the mission of Ag in the Classroom. Previously, Nuckols was the manager at Eastview Farm Inc. where he marketed and managed the breeding program for elite dairy genetics.

“So much credit needs to be given to creators and founders of this program for their foresight. I know this program has changed my life and believe it has changed many more. It feels selfish to accept an award from YDLI when it has given me so many skills and lifelong friends. Thank you to every past, present, and future class participant, advisor, foundation board member, and sponsor of YDLI for making me a better leader and person," continued Nuckols.

Nuckols will be recognized during the upcoming YDLI Class 11, Phase 3 program, February 5-8, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Young Dairy Leaders Institute, a program of the Holstein Foundation, is a nationally recognized three-phase leadership and communication skills development program for young adults working in the dairy industry. YDLI's three-phase approach ensures participants develop necessary leadership skills, apply those skills in real-life scenarios, and then focus on the benefit of influential leadership.

For more information on YDLI or other Holstein Foundation programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org or contact Jodi Hoynoski, at 800.952.5200, ext. 4261 or by email, jhoynoski@holstein.com.

The Holstein Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1989. It is headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, and shares office space with its parent organization, Holstein Association USA, Inc.

The Holstein Foundation's education, leadership development and outreach programs serve both youth and young adults across the country who are involved with all breeds of dairy cattle.