Young Farmers
In an age where the dairy industry faces constant challenges, some voices rise above the rest to advocate for its goodness and vitality. Nate Chittenden is one such voice. As a third-generation dairy farmer, Chittenden recently shared his insights and experiences, unveiling the often-hidden struggles of dairy farming.
Gen Z’s challenges aren’t just academic; they’re personal, says Jill Bramble, president and CEO of 4-H. Many young people say they are falling short, unable to envision a successful future where they feel connected to their friends, families, and communities.
Travel to Carpenter, Wy., and you’ll see two-thirds of the state’s 9,000 dairy cows, who are milked at Burnett Dairy. You’ll also get to see an upcoming second-generation dairy farmer, Reese Burnett.
FFA is a nearly limitless opportunity for young people to figure out who they are and what they want to do in life. Here are 10 lessons Farm Journal employees learned through FFA that they use every day.
Ensuring that farms are passed down to future generations requires diligent planning and, often, tough conversations with family members.
As parents we get these glittering moments of watching our children grow and become independent. While it’s all that we hoped they would become, it still is bittersweet.
Recognizing top dairy producers
Stephanie Nash is loud and boisterous…or as she likes to call it, very passionate about the dairy industry, as she enjoys servings as a front-line advocator to connect with consumers about where their food comes from.
There’s a serious lack of communication between generations, and procrastination and conflict avoidance are killing agriculture, says Elaine Froese, a farm family transition expert.
Becky Nyman of Hilmar, Calif., recently visited with AgriTalk host, Chip Flory, about being the next generation dairy farmer. Nyman works alongside her brother on the home farm where they milk 1,200 Jerseys.
While many in the agricultural sector wonder who will make up the next generation of farmers, another legitimate question is who will make up the next generation of industry professionals.
Hesston Geddes admits the opportunity to live and work in Hawaii’s lush tropical backdrop enticed him to travel to Waipahu, to take on the manager role at Cloverleaf Dairy, the last commercial dairy in Hawaii.
When a pair of sisters set out to help the family farm, they didn’t think they’d end up on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. On the debut of Grow Getters, a podcast about ag’s most creative side hustles, they tell their story.
Growing up with a long line of strong women, Jessica Pralle-Trimner, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, does not back down from hard work and wholeheartedly believes women play an integral role on dairy farms across the U.S.
Travel to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and you’ll meet Hayley and Stephanie Painter who not only made the Forbes 30 under 30 list, but have also created one of the fastest growing yogurt company in the U.S.
Farm kids have learned to quickly survey what needs to be done and take the lead to get it done. No questions asked. This is one reason farm kids stand out. They have learned to get tough during tough times.
NBA superstars Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith learned how to hand milk a cow on live television thanks to a Madison, Georgia dairy farm, Big Sandy Creek Farm.
An ‘ah-ha’ moment when young leaders realize the power within themselves to advocate for the dairy industry often unfolds at the Holstein Foundation’s Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI). This year was no exception.
Success is often shaped by values, found through hardships and the stimulus for momentum. If we learn anything from our 2023 Milk Business Award winners, it’s there is no cookie-cutter formula to achieve success.
I encourage you to look at the star players on teams, and when you get to know more about them, more times than not, you’ll learn they learned all they needed to excel in sports from growing up on a farm.
With a slogan of “raised, not sourced,” Tim Haer had a wild idea to differentiate their business: create a vending machine to sell meat produced on their family’s farm, an idea he says that’s been wildly successful.
In just a decade on the farm, Virginia dairy farmer Ben Smith’s journey has been one of dedication and innovation, which is what makes him the 2023 Milk Business Young Producer Award winner.
What about the moments in between the times the sun rises and sets? The moments that aren’t as bright and certainly are not Instagram-worthy, but they do help shape our children for their future.
Three National Young Cooperators share about their journey with training and leadership development that has helped propel them forward.
I often think farmers talk so much about being advocates that we sometimes we forget to ask if our children would like to be advocates for an industry that has helped raise them and one that they have grown to love, too.
The first MILK Business Conference award winners have been announced and will be recognized at the 2023 MILK Business Conference set for Nov. 28-30, at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
This past January, Val Lavigne became one of Dairy Management Inc.'s (DMI) newest board members. Leading up to this point, Lavigne has always been intrigued with checkoff and involved in her local efforts.
Matt Budine has found better solutions and motivated positive changes to young dairy professionals that have gone through the Dairy Challenge, and more than 1.1 million cows touched by Progressive Dairy Solutions.
Sometimes the biggest inspiration comes in the smallest packages. This certainly holds true for Brynn Grewe. The pint-size dairy farm girl serves as a true inspiration, as she embodies strength, grit and perseverance.
Sometimes life doesn’t go the way it was planned. Most farmers understand this all too well. But sometimes life’s curveballs provide opportunities to grow and learn. This holds true for the Dinderman family of Illinois.