Young dairy advocates from across the Midwest and Iowa strengthened their leadership, communication, and industry knowledge through two recent programs designed to prepare them for their roles as ambassadors for the dairy community.
Young Dairy Leaders Gathering
On May 19-20, Midwest Dairy hosted its Young Dairy Leaders Gathering in Pella, Iowa, bringing together 19 Dairy Ambassadors and Princesses from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The event focused on increasing participants’ understanding of the dairy industry, building confidence and advocacy skills, and strengthening connections with dairy professionals and fellow young leaders.
The gathering began with a tour of Lely North America, where participants gained a firsthand look at dairy farm automation and the assembly process behind the company’s robotic systems used on farms around the world.
Following the tour, participants took part in several professional development workshops led by Midwest Dairy staff. Sessions included “Representing Dairy with Impact: Preparing for Summer Events,” which provided practical strategies for consumer engagement and outreach; “Networking Tips and Tricks,” focused on building professional relationships; and “Tough Questions Training,” where participants practiced responding to consumer questions through role-playing exercises.
The evening concluded with networking and team-building activities at Westside Social in Pella.
On the second day, participants completed the “Knowell Motivated Skills” workshop, where they identified transferable skills they enjoy using and explored how those strengths can support future career success.
The group then toured Frisian Farms Cheese House, learning about the history of the business while sampling several varieties of Gouda cheese. The final stop was Stam Dairy near Oskaloosa, Iowa, where the Stam family shared the story of their operation and discussed how robotic milking technology has enhanced both farm efficiency and family quality of life.
Post-event evaluations demonstrated the program’s impact. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the workshops and tours, including 100% satisfaction with the Frisian Farms Cheese House tour and 92.9% satisfaction with the Stam Dairy tour. Additionally, 92.9% said the event motivated them to advocate more effectively for the dairy industry, while 100% reported stronger connections with fellow young dairy leaders.
Participants echoed those outcomes in their feedback.
“The most beneficial thing I gained from this experience was getting to know fellow dairy ambassadors and princesses more personally,” one participant shared. “Being able to network with each other definitely helps strengthen us.”
Another participant noted, “I learned tips and tricks about how I can connect with other leaders and network with others in the dairy industry.”
Iowa Dairy Princesses June Event
Just weeks later, Iowa dairy princesses had another opportunity to sharpen their advocacy skills during the Iowa Dairy Princess Program’s annual June Event on June 4 at the Waterloo Center for the Arts in Waterloo. Held during National Dairy Month, the dairy communications workshop and orientation brought together nearly 15 county and breed dairy princesses from across the state.
The day focused on strengthening communication skills, building confidence, and preparing participants to represent dairy farmers in their communities.
Featured speaker Nicole Johnson, RD, LD, a registered dietitian with Hy-Vee, discussed dairy’s role as a nutritional powerhouse, highlighting the key nutrients found in dairy foods and explaining the differences between dairy and non-dairy alternatives.
Participants also received media and interview training from Alyson Fendrick, Ag Affairs Manager for Midwest Dairy, who shared best practices for handling interviews and question-and-answer sessions. Through hands-on exercises, attendees practiced both long-form and short-form responses to become more confident communicators.
KWWL news anchor Elizabeth Klinge provided an interviewer’s perspective during her “Speaking in Sound Bites” workshop. Participants took part in mock interviews and received personalized feedback on delivering concise, memorable messages.
The program also included an overview of the dairy checkoff and available Midwest Dairy resources presented by Mariah Busta, Farmer Relations Manager for Midwest Dairy.
To conclude the event, participants partnered with the Phelps Youth Pavilion to engage members of the public through six dairy-themed activity stations. The hands-on experience allowed students to put their newly developed communication skills into practice while educating visitors about dairy farming and dairy foods.
Together, the two events provided valuable opportunities for young dairy leaders to expand their industry knowledge, strengthen their communication and leadership skills, and build lasting connections. As they prepare for summer outreach activities and future leadership roles, these young advocates are equipped to share the dairy story with confidence and enthusiasm.
