Dairy Industry Professionals Invited to Discuss Change Management

The Center Is Hosting Four Free Roundtable Meetings This Spring

Dairy professionals who guide dairy farm families through the process of navigating change are encouraged to attend one of four upcoming roundtable discussions hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence. The free meetings will be held in Mount Joy, Lewisburg, Chambersburg and Meadville.

“As we work with dairy producers who want to make changes on their dairy, it’s important to be able to help them navigate the planning process and establish their goals,” said Jayne Sebright, Executive Director at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “These roundtable meetings will feature in-depth discussions and coaching strategies to help you successfully lead your dairy clients.”

Dr. King Hickman

The change management roundtable discussions are based on consulting and coaching from Dr. King Hickman, a founding partner of GPS Dairy Consulting, LLC— a group of independent dairy nutrition and management consultants servicing customers throughout the Midwest US and Australia. Dr. Hickman is a graduate of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and holds a certificate from the University of Wisconsin Dairy Health Management Program. He spent his first 8 years in the dairy industry as a practicing dairy veterinarian before joining Monsanto Dairy Business in 1997. While with Monsanto, he served in various capacities including Area Market Manager, Technical Service Specialist and five years as a Team Business and Development Coach. 

“Dr. Hickman’s broad range of experience gives him a unique combination of technical, business management and coaching skills,” Sebright said. “His strategies for tackling change are especially relevant to dairy professionals who are responsible for helping their clients establish business plans and visions for the future.”

During the roundtables, industry professionals will learn how to guide their dairy clients through the process of establishing goals and plans to execute them. They will discuss strategies for evaluating their clients’ resources and abilities, and learn how to facilitate conversations to get everyone engaged and moving in the same direction.

Dairy Industry Professional Roundtable Meetings will be held at the following locations this spring:

  • Thursday, April 30 from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
    MidAtlantic Farm Credit
    15 Eby Chiques Road
    Mount Joy, PA 17552
  • Tuesday, May 5 from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
    AgChoice Farm Credit
    450 International Drive
    Lewisburg, PA 17837
  • Thursday, May 7 from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
    AgChoice Farm Credit
    109 Farm Credit Drive
    Chambersburg, PA 17201
  • Tuesday, May 12 from 12 – 3 p.m.
    AgChoice Farm Credit
    11555 State Highway 98
    Meadville, PA 16335

Breakfast and/or lunch will be included at each roundtable meeting. The events are free, but registration is encouraged. Register at centerfordairyexcellence.org/roundtable or contact Heidi Zimmerman at 717-346-0849.