Thanks to support from donors and partners across the dairy industry throughout the 2024-2025 school year, the Dairy Excellence Foundation reached more than 1.7 million students through its dairy education programs, curriculum, on-farm learning experiences, scholarship opportunities, on-farm internships and more. With a new school year quickly approaching, the Dairy Excellence Foundation will be kicking off its Discover Dairy and Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow programs in late August to help teachers of all grade levels incorporate dairy education programs into the classroom.

“For those of us in dairy, it’s hard to imagine not knowing where your milk comes from. But as our generations become more removed from agriculture, most kids think milk and dairy foods come from a refrigerator and have no idea the care and commitment dairy farm families and others in the value chain put into bringing them to the marketplace,” said Jayne Sebright, Executive Director at the Dairy Excellence Foundation. “Our Adopt a Cow and Discover Dairy programs inspire food literacy among elementary and middle schoolers by connecting them with a local dairy farm. Our Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program is cultivating a passion for working in dairy, and our scholarships and internships support students in their journey along the way.”

Through support from partners and donors, the Dairy Excellence Foundation helped empower the next generation of dairy throughout the 2024-2025 school year in the following areas:

• Offered the engaging “Adopt a Cow” program at no cost to over 43,000 classrooms. “We have fun learning with the Adopt a Cow program all year long. We learn all about dairy and the different breeds of cows, and we also learn about our host farm family. We learn about the importance of having three dairy products a day and talk about different dairy products we could eat. My students love this program and so do I,” shared Stephanie Sattazahn, a kindergarten teacher from Berks County, Pennsylvania and an Adopt a Cow participant.

“We live in a rural area. We have a high poverty rate, and we’re a title one school. Dairy farming is a new thing for a lot of the kids, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities for professions they could end up choosing. Having that knowledge about these career opportunities, developing the appreciation for where their food comes from, and seeing how technology has found its way into this profession, those pieces are all very important to students,” shared Lacey, a fifth-grade teacher from Maine who uses the Adopt a Cow program.

• Provided dairy-related courses and curriculum through the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow (DLT) program to 734 high school students. “I like the DLT curriculum and how my students get a completion certificate in the end. The program is simple to use, it's simple to follow, and it’s just good information that matches a lot of what we're teaching here. Delaware Valley University also gives college credits to students who have completed all the DLT courses if they go to school there. We have a few students at DelVal now. I think it's just helpful and encouraging for them to go on to college and continue to work in the field and the industry,” said Beth Evangelista, an animal science high school teacher and FFA advisor who uses the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program.

• Awarded 12 Student Leader Scholarships to college students and a high school senior who are pursuing careers in the dairy industry. “The dairy industry is the foundation and basis of my deep passion for cattle, the land, and the future. By receiving this scholarship, I am further assured that my future in this wonderful industry is going to be solid and steadfast as I continue my education,” said Jay Bratton, a scholarship recipient and college student at The Pennsylvania State University.

• Offered On-Farm Internship opportunities to nine college students who wanted to gain hands-on, farm-level experience.“During the internship, you are getting to experience the nitty-gritty and what it’s really like to be working on the farm. It’s a really good experience. Whether I end up doing herd management or reproduction specifically, I definitely see myself being in the barn every day. Even if you aren’t 100% sure about what you want to do after college, I would recommend [this internship] to others. You can figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are,” said Adria Russell, a college student at The Pennsylvania State University who completed an on-farm internship in the summer of 2024.

• Had a high school senior complete the Dairy Laborer Pre-Apprenticeship Program, with plans to enter the dairy industry after graduation. “The pre-apprenticeship has helped me learn about a lot of different opportunities in the dairy industry that I wouldn’t have ever thought of. I’ve also learned how to actually run an operation. I want to get my foot in the door of the agriculture world since I don’t know how long my family farm is going to stay around,” said Logan Keister, a high school senior at Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania, who completed the Dairy Laborer Pre-Apprenticeship program through the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program.

• Invited a group of 42 young dairy professionals to the PA Dairy Summit through the Young Dairy Professionals Scholarship for professional development and networking. “I found great value in my experience at the PA Dairy Summit. For young individuals, I think the variety of topics and discussions was important. There was a unique combination of dairy farmers and industry professionals who discussed both types of careers. There was great exposure to different types of farms, the future of dairy products, and the current topics in the industry,” said Sara Kennedy, one of the scholarship recipients and a college student at The Pennsylvania State University.

“Whether you’re a dairy producer who’s looking to support the next generation by hosting an on-farm intern or apprentice, or you’re a dairy professional who would like to get involved in Foundation programs, we couldn’t reach this many students without the support from partners like you,” Sebright added. “From inspiring dairy’s future workforce to connecting with our future consumers, the Foundation will continue to foster collaboration, legacy, and meaningful dairy education this coming school year through your support.”

To learn more about how to get involved in the Dairy Excellence Foundation programs this coming school year, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/foundation. To view a list of donors from 2024-2025, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/our-donors. To support the Foundation’s mission and make a donation, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/donate.

The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax deductible organization that is Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) approved. Established in 2010, the foundation’s mission is to build and invest in programs that cultivate and empower the next generation of producers, consumers, and advocates for the Pennsylvania dairy industry. Learn more at centerfordairyexcellence.org/our-foundation/.