Posted: December 14, 2022

Coming to the Penn State Conference Center and Hotel in February 2023.

The Young Dairy Professionals Scholarship program for the 2023 PA Dairy Summit is now open and accepting applications from young dairy producers and college students. The PA Dairy Summit, which will be held on February 8 and 9, 2023 in State College will help dairy producers and young dairy professionals find fusion with their peers – the theme of this year's event. Through a line-up of dynamic keynote speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities, attendees will gain insight and inspiration for their future, their finances, their herd, and their overall wellness.

The Young Dairy Professionals Scholarship allows individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 to attend the Dairy Summit at an extremely discounted rate and join us for a special networking reception to kick off the event.

About the Young Dairy Professionals Scholarship

If your scholarship application is accepted, you will receive the following benefits:

  • Conference registration will be discounted to $50
  • A complimentary hotel room stay with additional same-sex scholarship recipients
  • The opportunity to network with dairy professionals of all ages
  • Join us for the Young Dairy Professionals Reception, which starts at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Are you eligible to apply?

  • Scholarship applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 25 as of February 1, 2023
  • You must be a resident of Pennsylvania or enrolled in an agricultural program at a Pennsylvania-based college or university
  • You must also meet one of the following categories:
    • Operate or work on a dairy farm OR
    • Be enrolled in an agricultural degree program at college or trade school OR
    • Be enrolled in an agriculture program at a high school OR
    • Teach agriculture at a high school, college, or university

If you're interested, please click here to apply online for the scholarship by January 16, 2023. You must mail a check for $50 payable to “PA Dairy Summit” to the Center for Dairy Excellence office in Harrisburg.

A limited number of scholarships will be awarded by the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association, the Center for Dairy Excellence, and the Dairy Excellence Foundation.

Submit Your Application Today

“I utilized the Young Professionals Reception as an opportunity to network with industry leaders and young agriculturalists beginning their professional career. I decided to take advantage of this reception, as well as Dairy Summit to further submerge myself around technologies and financial management practices, which take place on many progressive dairy farms. My key takeaway from this event was the versatility of job opportunities and placements, which play an intricate role in our vast and robust industry.”

-Katerina Coffman, student at Penn State University

As part of the Young Dairy Professionals experience, you'll attend a special reception on Tuesday, February 7 to kick off the Dairy Summit. You'll meet dairy professionals in all corners of the industry and hear from a panel of three young dairy professionals. They each completed the On-Farm Internship program during their college years and now have meaningful, full-time careers serving the dairy industry. They will share fresh, real-world perspective about careers in herd management, animal nutrition and beyond.

Questions? Contact Michelle Shearer at mshearer@centerfordairyexcellence.org or call 570-768-8316.