Midwest Dairy continues to build connections between modern dairy farming and those shaping the future, whether they’re teachers learning more about the industry, influencers sharing authentic stories, or thought leaders driving sustainability initiatives. Across the 10-state Midwest Dairy region, recent activations have brought these audiences face-to-face with the people, practices, and progress of dairy. Each event not only educates but also fosters lasting relationships, inspiring participants to share and apply what they’ve learned in their own spheres of influence.
10-State Region
Midwest Dairy is partnering with trusted social influencers to connect with consumers authentically and share dairy’s role in a sustainable food system. A prime example is the 2025 Savor the Story: Farm, Food & Flavor event, which brought seven food and lifestyle creators to a Minnesota dairy farm for a two-day, hands-on experience. From touring Krause Holsteins and learning about regenerative farming to participating in sustainability discussions, storytelling workshops, and a mozzarella-making class, influencers gained firsthand knowledge to inspire their audiences, all while interacting with cows, machinery, and all aspects of a working dairy farm. The results were impressive—121 original posts across Instagram and TikTok reached more than 106,900 consumers and sparked 2,900 engagements. By fostering authentic relationships and giving influencers real-world experiences to share, Midwest Dairy continues to build trust in dairy, highlight its sustainability, and bridge the gap between farm and table in ways that resonate with modern, health-conscious audiences.
Illinois
In partnership with Northern Illinois University (NIU) STEAM, Midwest Dairy hosted students from NIU’s high school Sustainability Camp at Lenkaitis Holsteins in St. Charles, Illinois. The tour welcomed sustainability partners from NIU’s Sustainability Office and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Led by farmer Sarah Lenkaitis, the tour offered an up-close look at how milk travels from farm to fridge. Participants explored cow care, nutrition, genetics, breeding, and the technologies shaping today’s dairy farms. Robotic milking systems and wearable cow health trackers were among the innovations showcased, demonstrating how data and technology help farmers operate more efficiently while prioritizing animal welfare.
With strong student interest in STEM, the visit also served as a gateway to explore career opportunities in agriculture. From veterinary medicine and ag engineering to animal genetics and even ag photography, students saw how science and technology are woven into every aspect of dairy farming.
A favorite part of the day was interacting with cows and calves, reinforcing the importance of humane animal care. The tour ended on a high note with locally made ice cream, offering a delicious reminder of the dairy they had just learned about.
Post-tour surveys showed overwhelmingly positive responses. One teacher shared a personal shift in perspective, stating, “I now understand that milk is safe.” Another student said, “I’m very interested in genetics. I think I may participate in some research in further projects on the way genetics can impact health and wellbeing.”
Nebraska
Further west, Midwest Dairy partnered with Prairieland Dairy in Firth, Nebraska, to host a farm tour for Nebraska-based thought leaders. Attendees included representatives from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), Nebraska Conservation, the City of Lincoln Sustainability Department, Beyond School Bells, and Lincoln Public Schools.
The tour offered a comprehensive overview of modern dairy operations, focusing on cow care, the milking process, and farm-level sustainability practices. A highlight was touring Prairieland Gold, the farm’s composting facility. There, food waste from Lincoln Public Schools is transformed into nutrient-rich compost, reducing landfill waste and supporting healthy soils.
Joe Guenther from Nutrient Advisors joined the group to share insights on soil health and regulatory compliance. His explanation of nutrient management strategies showed how data supports both sustainability and environmental regulations.
Attendees expressed strong appreciation and trust in dairy producers. “I think it’s super important for people to have opportunities to interact with the people and places that provide their food,” shared one participant. Another added, “The fact that they are willing to spend time showing what they are doing to others is very inspiring.”
Whether engaging students through STEM-based learning or connecting sustainability professionals with on-the-ground innovation, these tours demonstrate Midwest Dairy’s ongoing commitment to building trust in dairy. By bringing people face-to-face with the farmers, technology, and practices behind dairy production, Midwest Dairy fosters transparency, inspires curiosity, and strengthens dairy’s role in sustainability.
South Dakota
Midwest Dairy partnered with the South Dakota Science Teaching Association (SDSTA) to bring dairy-focused STEM education resources to local teachers. The collaboration began with a virtual professional development session highlighting dairy-funded materials aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Building on its success, SDSTA invited Midwest Dairy to present a breakout session at the South Dakota STEM Education Conference, where 20 educators participated in an interactive science lab and learned how to integrate these resources into their classrooms.
Then, in June of 2025, the partnership expanded with an in-person professional development event at South Dakota State University for 25 teachers. The two-day experience included a dairy farm tour, a visit to the Bel Brands plant, and hands-on learning activities using real-world agriculture examples from the dairy industry. This program aims to equip educators with engaging, authentic content to inspire students while connecting science concepts to food production.