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2023 Dairy Ambassadors announced

April 11, 2023

3 minute read
Minnesota Dairy Ambassadors 2023
2023 Minnesota Dairy Ambassadors

Midwest Dairy’s Dairy Ambassador Program is an educational and leadership opportunity for students who are passionate about dairy, are enrolled in post-secondary school, and possess strong communication skills. Recently, 26 college students from across the Midwest Dairy 10-state region were selected to serve as state-specific 2023 Midwest Dairy Ambassadors. Throughout the year, this group will promote the dairy industry and support Midwest Dairy’s mission to give consumers an excellent dairy experience at a variety of industry and consumer events across the region. Dairy ambassadors will also have the chance to connect with their peers and industry professionals to network.

2023 Nebraska Dairy Ambassadors

To help the ambassadors prepare for conversations with consumers, Midwest Dairy offered this group two virtual ENGAGE training courses. The ENGAGE training, facilitated by the Center for Food Integrity, provides skills to connect with consumers on shared values. The interactive training provided the ambassadors with tips and techniques so they could have meaningful conversations to help build trust in dairy foods and dairy farming. Additionally, the ENGAGE training allowed the dairy ambassadors to meet and network with ambassadors from other states. 

Congratulations to these 2023 Dairy Ambassadors; we are excited to work with this great group of young dairy leaders this year! To learn more about our dairy ambassador program, visit MidwestDairy.com. 

Illinois

  • Rosalee Zehr of Pontiac, Illinois, attending Illinois State University
  • Lilyanne Katz of Chicago, Illinois, attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Jenna Hemker of Bartelso, Illinois, attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Emma Tolentino of Naperville, Illinois, attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Iowa

  • Emily Church, attending Iowa State University
  • Maggie Lupkes, attending Iowa State University
  • Cheyanne Troendle, attending Northeast Iowa Community College

Minnesota

  • Gracie Ash of Milaca, Minnesota, attending the University of Minnesota
  • Brady Gille of Sobieski, Wisconsin, attending the University of Minnesota
  • Luke Borst of Rochester, Minnesota, attending the University of Minnesota

Nebraska

  • Jenna Albers from Randolph, Nebraska, attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Allison Engelman from Diller, Nebraska, attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Tessa Haahr from Wynot, Nebraska, attending Cedar Catholic High School
  • Kaitlyn Hanson from Mead, Nebraska, attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Libby Heenan from Chicago, Illinois, attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Brooke Hilgenkamp from Arlington, Nebraska, attending Arlington Public Schools
  • Brianna Klabenes from Chambers, Nebraska, attending Chambers Public School
  • Jenna Muntz from Louisville, Nebraska, attending Northeast Community College
  • Emily Rempel from Beatrice, Nebraska, attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

North Dakota

  • McKayla Carlson-Hughes, raised near Braham, Minnesota, attending North Dakota State University
  • ShiAnne Boehm, raised near Mandan, North Dakota, attending North Dakota State University

South Dakota

  • Lauren Steffl from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, attending South Dakota State University 
  • Hayley Daubert from Dayton, Virginia, attending South Dakota State University 
  • Ting Mao from Brookings, South Dakota, attending South Dakota State University 
  • Holi Jark from Stratford, South Dakota, attending South Dakota State University 
  • Josephine Sutherland from Flandreau, South Dakota, attending South Dakota State University