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.
Applications are now closed.
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 great value in my experience at the PA Dairy Summit. For young individuals, I think the variety of topics and discussions was important. There was a unique combination of dairy farmers and industry professionals who discussed both types of careers. There was great exposure to different types of farms, the future of dairy products, and the current topics in the industry. I would definitely encourage any young professional who wants to be involved in the dairy industry to attend – especially if they want to gain exposure to the industry from different perspectives.” –Sara Kennedy, The Pennsylvania State University
“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
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.”
Tuesday Evening Reception and Panel
As a scholarship recipient, you will be asked to attend the Young Dairy Professionals Reception which starts at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3. Dinner is included. This is a great networking opportunity, and you’ll hear from a panel of young dairy professionals with a wide range of experience and career advice they are willing to share with you. This year’s panelists include:
- Dr. George DeMers, associate veterinarian at Quarryville Herd Health
- Paige Peiffer, Sales Support Specialist at Premier Select Sires
- Drew Walton, Herd Manager at Walton Farms
Special Wednesday Young Professionals Workshop
Scholarship recipients will also participate in an in-depth Career Development Workshop on Wednesday afternoon (February 4).
You will hear from three Human Resource Directors who will share their firsthand experience in hiring, interviewing, and onboarding new employees – and what they wish they could tell these young recruits as far as common mistakes and things they want to see in new hires.
Contact
Have questions? Email Michelle Shearer at mshearer@centerfordairyexcellence.org with questions.