New York Ag Connection - Junior Dairy Leaders to Graduate at Empire Farm Days

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Junior Dairy Leaders to Graduate at Empire Farm Days
New York Ag Connection - 05/23/2018

The dairy industry will celebrate the graduation of 31 Junior DAIRY LEADERs, representing New York and Vermont, on Aug. 8 at 1:30 p.m. in the Dairy Profit Seminar Center at Empire Farm Days. The event that is the Northeast's largest outdoor farm show is held at Rodman Lott and Son Farms, 2973 Route 414, Seneca Falls.

The Cornell PRO-DAIRY Junior DAIRY LEADER is a statewide program for youth between the ages of 16 and 19 with an interest in learning more about career opportunities in the dairy industry and gaining hands-on experience in the field.

The 2018 class of Junior DAIRY LEADERs and Program Coordinator Deborah Grusenmeyer will welcome sponsors, families and visitors to the graduation ceremony that includes a presentation by the students. The annual graduation at Empire Farm Days provides the Junior DAIRY LEADERs with the opportunity to highlight their year-long experiences, demonstrating the dynamic aspects of dairy education and career options.

The 2018 Junior DAIRY LEADER class members from New York State are:

- Chautauqua County: Austin Bratton, Cherry Creek; Heidi Moss, Conewango Valley

- Clinton County: Grace Harrigan, Chateaugay

- Columbia County: Lydia Chittenden and Caroline Lafferty, both of Schodack Landing Delaware County: Devin Kuhn, Grand Gorge

- Erie-Wyoming County: Morgan Depue, Hamburg; Angela George, Strykersville;

- Franklin County: Austin Gokey, Malone; Garrett Johnston, Burke

- Herkimer County: Bryce Windecker, Frankfort

- Lewis County: Ethan Sherman, Turin; Kiersten Hancock and Danielle Thomas, Carthage

- Montgomery County: Laura Littrell, St. Johnsville

- Oneida County: Lucas DiNitto, Marcy; Abigail Wratten, Oriskany Falls; Kathleen Gallagher, Waterville

- Onondaga County: Kyra Phelps, Fulton

- Ontario County: Elizabeth Maslyn, Farmington; Rachel Rouland, Corrine Brown, Lucas Smith, and Lindsey Weykman, all of Clifton Springs

- Otsego County: Rileigh Mumbulo, Edmeston; Meredith Hammond, Otsego

- Saratoga County: Johnathan King and Christine Putman, both of Schuylerville

- Schoharie County: Allen Graulich, Cobleskill

- Tompkins County: Derrick Fouts, Cortland

- Washington County, VT: Isabell Hall, East Montpelier, VT.

The Junior DAIRY LEADER Program begins in late September with a seven-day trip to Madison, Wis., to tour dairies and agribusinesses, followed by attending the annual National 4-H Dairy Conference.

Throughout the year, class members participate in eight workshops, focusing on team building, personality styles, resume development, change, and leadership skills development, as well as facets of dairy production, tours, and exposure to numerous career options in the dairy field.

Hands-on workshops offer learning opportunities on specific facets of the dairy industry, including veterinary science, dairy nutrition, production management, and on-farm production analysis, plus interaction with dairy producers, industry professionals, and other dairy-interested young people.

Building communication and leadership skills enhanced by a team approach to problem solving, adds to the Junior DAIRY LEADERS' personal and professional development.

The Aug. 8 ceremony will also recognize the 2018 Junior DAIRY LEADER class sponsors: PRO-DAIRY, the Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation, Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Northeast Ag and Feed Alliance, DEHM Associates, Genex/CRI, Select Sire Power, NYS Agricultural Society Foundation, Cornell University Department of Animal Science, and New York's dairy producers.

The 300-acre Empire Farm Days features the latest farming techniques, tractors, trucks, and implements of all sizes and uses; crop and equipment demonstrations, Dairy Profit and other educational seminars, equipment and truck test driving opportunities, live cattle and horse demonstrations, farm safety and family life displays, and information booths by hundreds of agriculture-related vendors, organizations, colleges and associations. Show hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Aug.t 7 and 8, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Aug. 9. Parking is $10 per vehicle. For daily schedules and more information visit www.empirefarmdays.com or call 877-697-7837.

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