Purpose is your compass. Passion is your fuel. Find your True North and join us at the 2026 PA Dairy Summit!
February 4-5, 2026
Holiday Inn Harrisburg – Hershey (Grantville, PA)
604 Station Rd.
Grantville, PA 17028
Dairy farmers often feel like they’re moving from one fire to the next on the farm. But when you find your true north, you’re able to control the chaos, quiet down the outside noise, commit to your purpose, and stay the course through the highs and the lows. That’s the inspiration behind the 2026 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit! Join us on February 4-5, 2026 in the Hershey/Harrisburg area. Register today!
Whether you’re at the peak of your career in the dairy industry, or just getting started, our speakers will help you embrace your purpose and use your passion to propel yourself – and your farm – forward. With producer-led sessions on relevant, real-time issues, you can drill down on your strengths, network with your peers, and discover the passion points that can fuel your personal and professional growth. Hosted by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and Center for Dairy Excellence, this annual event brings together more than 350 dairy producers and allied-industry representatives.
New this year:
- An entire track of discussion groups for peer-to-peer conversations
- Movie night to watch a private screening of the powerful film, A World Without Cows
- More producer showcases than ever, including two producer-led keynote sessions
- Fun-filled evening reception with entertaining, engaging ways to interact
- Breakout sessions on the fundamentals, the people, and the analytics
> Get a discounted rate of $119 per night plus tax for your hotel room if you book by Friday, January 16, 2026! Click here to get started.
> Sponsorship opportunities are still available, but going fast. Click here to view!
> Click here to sign up for email updates and get notified about Summit news.
– “We learned so much! We are still talking about all the information we were able to gain and contacts and connections we made.” – Jeni, Maryland dairy producer
– “It was my first time attending the Summit. I thought it was really good, and all the sessions I attended were very informative. The one I got the most out of was about transition planning, so it was definitely worth my time.” – James, PA dairy producer
Meet Our Keynote Speakers:
With 20+ dynamic speakers, our keynote and breakout sessions will fuel your personal and professional growth as you commit to your True North at the 2026 PA Dairy Summit. Click here to view the full program.
- Owning Your Future Is Not DNA-Driven with Michael Hoffman
- Forging Ahead with Innovation: A Producer Showcase with Brody Stapel of Wisconsin
- Controlling Your Own Destiny: A Business Showcase with Painterland Sisters and Taylor Chip Cookie
- Inspiring Pathways to Profitability: A Producer Panel with Jim Hertzler, Donny Bartch and Matt & Megan Fry, facilitated by Rob Goodling
- The Road Ahead: FMMO Reform & Dairy Pricing with Sara Dorland
- World Without Cows: A Deeper Dive Behind the Scenes with Michelle Michael, Brandon Whitworth and Dr. Holder Vaughn. Enjoy a private screening of the film on Wednesday evening (you’ll get TWO tickets included with your Summit registration), and then join us for this keynote session to hear directly from the filmographers and scientists who will dive into their journey traveling to 40 locations around the world for this project. Click here to watch the trailer and find more information.
Breakout Sessions:
Four tracks to help you find your True North! New this year, enjoy an entire track of peer-to-peer discussion groups. Talk with fellow farmers and exchange ideas with a facilitator to guide the conversation. Click here to view the full program.
The Discussion
- Navigating Difficult Conversations: Find Your Shared North facilitated by Elaine Froese
- Getting to the Golden Girl Era facilitated by Dr. Jim Lawhead
- Sourcing + Screening = Strong Employees, with facilitator still being determined.
The People
- Step Up Your Game: Why Developing Your Executive Leadership Skills Is Critical to Your Business with PA dairy producers
- Discussing the “Undiscussabull” with Elaine Froese
- Managing a Foreign Born Workforce: From Navigating Laws and ICE to Motivating Your Team with Jacob Monty, ESQ
The Fundamentals
- True North, True Yield: Manure Injection & Supplemental Nitrogen Management with Eric Hoover, Dr. Heather Karsten, Eric Rosenbaum and Doug Sattazahn
- AI Ideas You Haven’t Tried (Yet) on the Dairy with Dr. Shari van de Pol, CATTLEytics Inc.
- Heifer Feeding Strategies That Make a Difference with Dr. Mac Campbell and Alyssa Dietrich of Cargill
The Analytics
- Measuring to Manage: Using Data and Herd Analytics to Their Fullest Potential with Dr. Asha Miles and Steve Harnish
- Drilling Into the ROI: Getting the Most Out of Your Technology with Dr. Melissa Cantor, Alan Waybright, Walt Moore and Alan Davis
- The Data That Makes Better Cows with Katie Schmitt from Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding
What Can You Expect From the PA Dairy Summit?
– “The Dairy Summit was very valuable. I specifically attended for the immigration breakout session, and it was well worth attending. Very informative and I was able to maybe relieve some stress that our Hispanic workers have. One of the keynote speakers helped me renew my mission statement of why I do what I do each day! I was able to reconnect with some people I do not see very often (some has been a few years) and meet some new friends. I would encourage other dairy producers to attend to learn and be inspired!” –Betsy, PA dairy producer
– “We learned so much! We are still talking about all the information we were able to gain and contacts and connections we made.” – Jeni, Maryland dairy producer
– “It was my first time attending the Summit. I thought it was really good, and all the sessions I attended were very informative. The one I got the most out of was about transition planning, so it was definitely worth my time.” – James, PA dairy producer
– “My husband and I thought this conference was useful. It was refreshing to hear honesty about real struggles with dairy farming. It made me realize I am not alone in this battle of farming, and it was a bit therapeutic as our farm also is in the process of crawling its way out from some ‘dark days.’” – Jan, PA dairy producer
Contact
Have questions? Email info@padairysummit.org for more information about the event.
Phone
814-355-2467
Our Office Location
Dairy Summit Business Office
174 Crestview Drive
Bellefonte, PA 16823