By Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator
For the seven 4-H teens selected to attend the 2024 National 4-H Dairy Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, four days of dairy-focused activities and opportunities to connect with like-minded peers from 20 states and three Canadian provinces were a whirlwind.
The Vermont delegates who took part in the Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 event were Hailee Allen, New Haven; Hailey and Mackenzie Chase, Bristol; Torrey Hanna, Addison; Ruby Hubbell, Shoreham; Amy Vaughan, South Ryegate; and Elizabeth Waterman, Thetford Center. They were accompanied by adult volunteers Cindy and Brian Kayhart, New Haven, and Jackie Chase, Bristol.
The conference was held in conjunction with the World Dairy Exposition and gave participants, ages 15 to 18, an opportunity to learn about the dairy industry and explore career pathways through tours of agricultural businesses and dairy operations, motivational speakers, a career fair, and interactive seminars taught by dairy specialists, biotechnology leaders, and professors. Conference delegates also spent time at the dairy expo watching the dairy show competitions and visiting the trade show.
Fun activities included team challenges, a dairy skill-a-thon and a farm tour, tailgate party and evening barn dance at Crave Brothers Farm and Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Field trips to other southern Wisconsin locations included stops at ABS Global, ST Genetics, and Jones Dairy, a centuries-old producer of sausages and other breakfast meats. In Fort Atkinson, they toured the National Dairy Shrine Museum and Hoard’s Dairyman Magazine and its registered Guernsey farm.
Selection for this national opportunity was based on several criteria, including overall 4-H achievements, 4-H dairy project record books, and participation in county and state dairy shows, judging contests, quiz bowls, and other 4-H dairy events. Applicants also had to meet the age requirement and be enrolled in the 4-H dairy project for three or more years.
The State 4-H Foundation; Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement; the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets; county 4-H foundations; and several Vermont businesses and individual donors funded the trip.
