Young leaders from across the Midwest gathered in Ames, Iowa, on May 19–20 for the first Midwest Dairy In-Person Ambassador Training, held at Iowa State University. The two-day event welcomed Dairy Ambassadors from Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota, as well as Iowa Dairy Princesses and Midwest Dairy Interns.
The training kicked off with an engaging personality workshop titled “Discovering the Real Colors in You…& Others.” The session helped participants understand their communication styles and learn how to work effectively with others. According to a post-event survey, 100% of respondents said the workshop improved their self-awareness and teamwork skills.
Next, ambassadors participated in a session titled “Representing Dairy with Impact,” which focused on preparing for summer events and communicating key dairy messages to consumers. Attendees left feeling confident and equipped, with 95% of respondents reporting an increased understanding of available resources.
The evening wrapped up with food and fun at Perfect Games, where students networked over pizza and bowling.
Day two began with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Iowa State University Dairy Farm, where participants explored the research operation and compared it to traditional family farms. The experience offered hands-on learning and sparked great discussion. Following the tour, Tim Heller, Recruitment and Training Coordinator for Pig Improvement Company, led a session on resume-building and interview skills. Attendees practiced crafting strong elevator pitches to support their career goals, with 100% reporting greater understanding of how to pursue career opportunities.
The training concluded with a timely discussion on addressing tough questions in the dairy industry. Participants practiced responding from both consumer and producer perspectives, sharpening their advocacy and empathy skills.
This inaugural training left attendees with valuable tools, confidence, and connections to support their dairy advocacy work this summer and beyond. Do you know of someone interested in becoming a Dairy Ambassador? Learn more by clicking here.