News & Featured Articles | Center for Dairy Excellence

July 24, 2025

Dairy Excellence Foundation Reaches Over 1.7 Million Students Last School Year Thanks to Donor Support

The Foundation Offers the “Adopt a Cow” Program, On-Farm Internships, Scholarships and More Thanks to support from donors and partners across the dairy industry throughout the 2024-2025 school year, the Dairy Excellence Foundation reached more than 1.7 million students through its dairy education programs, curriculum, on-farm learning experiences, scholarship opportunities, on-farm internships and more. With…

July 24, 2025

Nominate Young Individual with Exceptional Service to PA Dairy for Award

The Jan Harding Ruslavage Memorial Service & Promotion Award Recognizes Someone Between the Ages of 18 and 30 If you know an individual between the ages of 18 and 30 who has demonstrated exceptional service to and promotion of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, nominate them for the Jan Harding Ruslavage Memorial Service & Promotion Award by…

July 21, 2025

Speakers Announced for 2025 Dairy Financial and Risk Management Conference

Sessions Will Focus On Navigating Rock-Bottom Years, How High-Performing Dairies Can Level Up, and More Registration is now open for the 16th annual Dairy Financial and Risk Management Conference, titled “Leveling Up Pennsylvania Dairy.” Designed to help attendees protect their risk, navigate the ever-changing dairy marketplace, and make financial decisions with the future in mind,…

July 17, 2025

Meet Emma, an On-Farm Intern Who Is Honing Her Breeding Skills and Gaining Experience on Larger Dairy Farm

Love Emma’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! Emma McLaughlin’s first experience working with dairy cattle began in high school. She grew up in 4-H and FFA, showing a large variety of livestock. Her neighbors had a dairy farm, and she eventually started showing cows with the family. Emma’s dairy experience…

July 15, 2025

Meet Jessica, an On-Farm Intern Who’s Exploring Her Passion for Herd Management on 700-Cow Dairy

Love Jessica’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! Jessica Fleisher is a rising senior at Penn State University studying Animal Science. Her plans for the future? She hopes to become a dairy herd manager. To help explore her dream, she is interning at M. W. Smith Farms in Perry County,…

July 14, 2025

Send Back-to-School Boxes to Agriculture Educators in Your Community

Show Your Appreciation for Educators Who Teach Students About Agriculture Agriculture teachers are laying the foundation for the next generation to learn about the role farmers have in our communities. To help share positivity and encouragement to agriculture educators in Pennsylvania and beyond this August, consider sending a back-to-school box through the Dairy Leaders of…

July 3, 2025

Save the Date for the Animal Agriculture Industry Breakfast on August 13

Ag Professionals Are Invited to the Industry Breakfast Featuring Resources to Help Farm Clients Pennsylvania sales and service representatives are invited to the 2025 Animal Agriculture Industry Breakfast, titled “The Art of Conversation & Resources to Help.” The industry breakfast will be held on Wednesday, August 13 during the 2025 Ag Progress Days. The event…

July 1, 2025

Meet Allison, an On-Farm Intern Gaining Essential Skills as a Future Veterinarian

Love Allison’s story? Click here to meet more interns and read their stories! Growing up on a small livestock farm, working with animals is not a new activity for Allison Billard, a senior at Penn State University. Her love for working with animals, including beef and goats, has guided Allison to where she is now….

June 30, 2025

Eight Students Begin On-Farm Internships on Progressive Dairy Farms

These Internships Provide Students With On-Farm Learning Experiences This Summer Eight college students who are pursuing careers in dairy production recently began on-farm summer internships on progressive dairy farms in Pennsylvania and New York. The Dairy Excellence Foundation, the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association created the program more than 10…

June 24, 2025

Annual ‘Toast to Dairy’ Event Draws 400 People to Celebrate PA Dairy and Support Dairy Excellence Foundation

A Total of 400 People Attended the Farm-to-Fork Event With All Proceeds Supporting Foundation The Dairy Excellence Foundation’s “A Toast to Dairy” fundraiser event had a record-breaking crowd, drawing 400 people from across the dairy industry to Melhorn Manor in Mount Joy this June. Featuring meal stations sourced with Pennsylvania Preferred ingredients, artisan cheese sampling…