Meet Darcy, an Intern Who Explored Food Science in a Dairy Processing Plant

Darcy Heltzel grew up on her family’s 120-cow dairy, Piney Mar Farm, in Martinsburg, PA. Her responsibilities on the family farm included feeding calves and milking cows. While she enjoys caring for animals, she discovered an interest in food science and is a rising sophomore studying food science at the Iowa State University. “I knew…

Organic Dairy Producers Encouraged to Share Data for Milk Price Discovery Project

All Data Will Be Reported in Aggregate and Anonymously Organic dairy producers who ship Grade A milk from Pennsylvania and Maryland are encouraged to share anonymous data from their milk checks to help the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) create market reports and better understand how organic milk is priced. Information will be reported in…

Students Encouraged to Apply for 2025 On-Farm and Dairy Processing Internships

College Students and High School Graduates Can Apply for an Internship, Dairy Farms and Dairy Processors Can Apply to Host an Intern Undergraduate students, high school graduates, dairy farms, and dairy processors are encouraged to apply for the 2025 Internship Program. Applications are now being accepted for On-Farm Internships, Dairy Processing Internships, and a Dairy…

Mercer County Siblings Talk About Diversifying Their Fifth-Generation Family Dairy Farm in New Podcast Episode

Trenton Canon and Josie Offerdahl Were Interviewed in the “Cow-Side Conversations” Podcast In the Center for Dairy Excellence’s latest episode of the “Cow-Side Conversations” podcast, Trenton Canon and Josie Offerdahl – the fifth generation on Canon Dairy in Mercer County, Pennsylvania – share how they are focusing on diversity as a way to grow. Throughout…

Meet Adria, an On-Farm Intern Who Expanded Her Breeding and Reproduction Skills on 2,700-Cow Dairy

Adria Russell is a rising sophomore studying animal science with a minor in agriculture business at The Pennsylvania State University. Both sets of Adria’s grandparents owned dairy farms, and she grew up helping to feed calves and make hay on their farms. Now, she raises show heifers and cows at home with her family where…

Meet Kelly, an On-Farm Intern Who Gained Firsthand Experience With Rotational Grazing and Delivering Milk to Customers

Kelly Bliss grew up on her family’s farm in Huntingdon County, PA where they raise Jersey cattle, Angus cattle, and some breeding sheep. The 4-H and FFA programs she participated in allowed Kelly to become further involved in the dairy industry through showing which led to her joining the Huntingdon County Dairy Promotion team. Her…

National Farm Safety Week Starts Sept. 15, Farm Safety Signs and Videos Available At No Cost

These Farm Safety Tools and Resources Are Available to Dairy Producers at No Cost With National Farm Safety and Health Week starting on September 15, the Center for Dairy Excellence has a series of farm safety videos available to help dairy producers share simple safety reminders with farm employees all year long, but especially during…

Center to Host Next Industry Conference Call on Sept. 18 With Panel Discussion Featuring Two Producers and Two End Users

The Next Dairy Industry Call Will Be Held on Wednesday, September 18 at 1 p.m. EST The Center for Dairy Excellence will host the next Dairy Industry Conference Call on Wednesday, September 18 at 1 p.m. EST to provide updates on the rapidly evolving health situation with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affecting dairy cattle in the…

Dairy Processors Invited to New Webinar Series Starting September 17 to Spur Collaboration Across Supply Chain

The First Webinar Will Be a Roundtable Discussion Between Dairy Producers and Processors The Center for Dairy Excellence will kick off a bi-monthly webinar series for dairy processors starting in September. The first free webinar, titled “Linking Up: Producer Roundtable Discussion,” will be held on September 17, 2024 from 1-2 p.m. To encourage open dialogue…

Discount Available for Dairy Producers Interested in “Spanish for Agriculture” Fall Course

The Center Is Offering a $100 Discount to Dairy Producers Who Enroll in Fall Course To assist dairy farm families in improving communication, safety and productivity, while building respect and positive relationships with Spanish-speaking employees, the Center for Dairy Excellence is once again offering $100 discounts to dairy producers who sign up for the “Spanish…