Are you a student or young dairy professional who’s passionate about the dairy industry and looking to expand your network? Whether you work on a dairy farm or are enrolled in an agricultural degree program at a college or trade school, consider applying for the Young Dairy Professionals Scholarship! You must be between the ages of 18 and 30. Thanks to a partnership between the Center for Dairy Excellence, Dairy Excellence Foundation and Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, these scholarships allow you to attend the 2026 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit happening on Feb. 4-5 in Harrisburg/Hershey area for a discounted rate of $50.
> Click here to apply today! Applications must be submitted by Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Through the scholarship, young dairy professionals will receive:
- Access to the full Pennsylvania Dairy Summit (Feb. 3-5 in Harrisburg/Hershey) for a discounted rate of $50.
- A complimentary hotel room stay with additional same-sex scholarship recipients.
- An opportunity to talk one-on-one with industry professionals within their chosen areas of interest prior to the Young Professional Reception on Tuesday evening.
- Access to a special “Young Dairy Professionals” Reception and Panel Discussion to kick off the Summit on Tuesday evening.
- Access to an in-depth “Young Dairy Professionals Career Development Workshop”
Email Michelle Shearer at mshearer@centerfordairyexcellence.org with questions.
“I found it beneficial to hear from people in a similar situation as I’m in, graduating from college and making a return to the dairy. Transition from generation to generation is difficult, and there is no correct way to go about it that will work for everyone. Regardless of the position you’re in, the Dairy Summit and Young Dairy Professionals Scholarship is invested in your learning and understanding of the dairy industry. I strongly encourage anyone to attend.” –Roy Hissong, Mercer-Vu Farms
“I decided to apply for the Young Dairy Professionals Scholarship to expand my knowledge in dairy and create connections in the industry. The breakout sessions at Summit gave me practical education I can take back to the classroom and eventually to a career. The Young Dairy Professionals dinner allowed me to practice networking, while making connections with dairy professionals I might work with in the future. It’s a great experience for young students hoping to get involved within the dairy industry.” –Hannah Hoover, Delaware Valley University
Scholarship Requirements:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 30 as of February 1, 2026 OR an adult who serves as an advisor or professor of agriculture at a high school, college, or university.
- Operate or work on a dairy farm or 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.
- Be a resident of Pennsylvania OR enrolled in an agricultural program at a Pennsylvania college or university.
- Agree to pay $50 registration fee. Checks should be made payable to “Pennsylvania Dairy Summit”.
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