Northeast Dairy Challenge

From a Judge’s Perspective

—by Kathy Hanehan, NEDPA member

Reprinted with permission from NEDPA’s One Step Ahead newsletter, April 2005

A couple of months ago I stepped into a boardroom full of professionals and their excitement was contagious. I had been asked to attend one of these Northeast Dairy Challenge (DC) committee meetings as a representative for NEDPA following its commitment to help fund the program on an annual basis and provide input on the steering committee.

Over the past years I have enjoyed working with the youth in our industry. Through coaching Dairy Bowl teams, judging FFA competitions and being a Junior Advisor for the Tri-County Juniors and Co-Advisor for the Saratoga County Dairy Princess Program, I have learned how important agriculture is to students. This day I would learn a lot more. After listening to the DC board, which consisted of agricultural leaders from all corners of the industry, I was reminded of how important the next step is for these students. These people sitting around the table have a real passion for the students heading for a career in our wonderful industry.

After a lot of hard work and planning the Northeast Dairy Challenge was held at the Bolton Valley Resort in Vermont. I was also asked to judge, which was a great honor for me. I arrived that night to a ski lodge full of young adults, a room full of energy that was impossible to contain. The next morning before departing to the farms chosen for the competition I was standing in line making small talk with the students. Most of the students came from farms or related jobs. Turning to one girl I asked if she had studied up on the farm and was ready to go. She looked at me with just as much excitement as the rest but made a statement that made me understand what this effort was all about. "I'm really nervous,” she admitted, “I've never been on a farm before."

Never been on a farm before but there she stood ready to go, hoping to learn something about farming and to some day make a difference!

The students and the judges visited farms the first day. The students’ job was to observe, take notes, and as a team (made up of students from different colleges), make an educated plan for the farm's future. It was interesting to listen to the questions and comments made by the students. I certainly can report that our future is in good hands. There are some very motivated and bright young people interested in our industry.

The next day was the big test. Could they put all the information together and present their ideas to the judges? As each group of confident young people filled the room, my desire for this program to succeed grew. I viewed young people with drive and ambition all day long. This competition gave them an extra boost in their education and a little dose of reality. They learned things that will help them greet that big world out there and hit the ground running.

I have since attended a follow-up meeting. One of the college professors shared that several of his students have now signed up for an extended agricultural program.How exciting for everyone involved! The committee already has plans underway for next year.

My goal in writing this article was to report to the NEDPA members so they gain a little better insight into where some of the association’s contributions go. I can honestly say NEDPA found a win-win situation here. A little money, a lot of future.